The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released a new proposal that will make consumers make healthier choices. The whole idea of this proposal is to suggest placing key nutrient information on the front of food packaging so that information becomes more visible. This information will also remain on the back of the packaging for those consumers who like to have detailed labels.
This proposal aims to improve public health and reduce chronic diseases. The rule is part of the White House National Strategy on Hunger and Nutrition and Health to lower diet related diseases by the year 2030. These new creative packaging design schemes would provide important nutritional information to consumers so they can make healthier choices.
What is front of package labelling?
Front of package labelling is a system that shows important nutritional information on the front of food and drink packaging. These types of labels are designed in a way that consumers can see and understand the information and choose products based on their nutritional quality.
An FOP scheme can help consumers identify healthy foods.
FOP labels appear helpful for those with lower nutrition knowledge and busy shoppers
FOP complements the Nutrition Facts label
The food packaging design often includes details about calories and levels of sugar and fat and salt or other nutrients that are important for health. The main purpose of this system is to help people eat healthier and help them have a clear and quick access to nutritional information.
The FDA tested many different label designs. Some labels used traffic light colors to show if a product had a high amount of nutrients and some labels said that a product was high in these nutrients and provided the percentage of the recommended daily value that a serving contains.
What are the changes the government is mandating?
The FOP labels would highlight key nutritional information, including saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars so that consumers can make healthier choices quickly. The rule would apply to businesses with more than $10 million in annual food sales after three years and smaller businesses after four years from the effective date.
The proposal is in line with research suggesting that visible nutritional info can influence consumer behavior and encourage manufacturers to redevelop products to be healthier.
The FDA has conducted studies to identify the most effective FOP labeling and has been working on improving labeling and nutrition standards to address the nation's $4.5 trillion annual healthcare costs driven by chronic diseases. Health professionals and advocates have praised the initiative to curb negative health trends.
Top 5 Benefits of Front of Package Nutrition Labeling
Front of package nutrition labeling is changing the way people choose food by showing clear and easy to understand nutritional information. This simple method is gaining support from researchers and policymakers because it can help with many diet related health problems. Below are five key benefits of using front of package labels.
1. Improves the Nutritional Quality of Foods
Research has found that the front of food label design labels encourage manufacturers to improve the nutritional value of their products. Many brands now reduce calories and lower the amounts of sugar and sodium and saturated fat in their food items so that they can offer healthier options. Over time, this has led to better choices across many food categories.
2. Helps Consumers Choose Healthier Foods Faster
These labels show important information like calorie amounts and the levels of sugar and fat and sodium in a way that is easy to read. This allows people who are short on time to quickly understand the nutritional value of products and choose foods that are better for their health without needing to study long labels.
3. Encourages Companies to Compete for Healthier Products
Companies compete to create better products that attract health conscious buyers when front of package food packaging labels are used. This competition is especially strong in food categories that are known for being less healthy. Manufacturers work harder to innovate and make foods that are not only tastier but also healthier for consumers.
4. Supports Efforts to Improve Public Health
This labeling system fits with public health plans like the White House National Strategy on Hunger and Nutrition and Health, which aims to reduce diet related diseases by the year 2030. It also supports global efforts from organizations like the World Health Organization that work to promote healthy diets and fight diseases like obesity and diabetes and heart disease.
5. Builds Trust Between Companies and Consumers
Businesses that use front of package labels show that they care about transparency and the health of their customers. This builds trust and strengthens their reputation because people are more likely to choose products from brands that care about their well being. Retailers can also promote these products to show their support for healthier choices.
Final Thoughts
Front of package nutrition labeling is a powerful way to help consumers and improve health outcomes. It empowers buyers to make better choices and encourages companies to innovate and supports public health goals
The FDA initiative seeks to empower consumers to make better choices while challenging manufacturers to prioritize health-conscious innovation. One thing is clear from this proposal is that transparency is the first step toward trust.
Connect with Lien Design if you are a brand that wants to align with these values and create impactful and health focused label designs. We can help you design labels that can transform a brand and hook consumers.