Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling

The FDA is prioritizing its nutrition initiatives, and one goal is to help ensure that consumers in the U.S. have greater access to nutrition information they can use to identify healthier food choices.  Improving eating patterns can, in turn, improve everyone’s health and wellness. The FDA has been conducting consumer research to explore the development of an FOP nutrition labeling scheme and meeting with a variety of stakeholders to hear their feedback and experiences with FOP labeling.  On November 16, 2023, the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA hosted a public meeting on front-of-package labeling, and the FDA provided an overview of the initiative.

At the Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health on September 28, 2022, the White House released a National Strategy to end hunger and increase healthy eating and physical activity by 2030, so that fewer consumers experience diet-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension. The strategy includes several FDA initiatives to help accelerate efforts to empower consumers with information and create a healthier food supply. The National Strategy highlights that the FDA will conduct research and propose a standardized front-of-package (FOP) system for food packages to help consumers, particularly those with lower nutrition knowledge, quickly and easily identify foods that can help them build a healthy eating pattern.

FOP labeling would complement the Nutrition Facts label that is required on food packages by displaying simplified, at-a-glance nutrition information that gives consumers additional context to help them quickly and easily make more informed food selections. The Nutrition Facts label is typically on the back or side of food packages. Use of FOP nutrition labeling schemes has increased dramatically around the world in recent years.

Consumer Research

The FDA has been conducting consumer research to explore the development of a FOP nutrition labeling scheme and plans to issue a proposed rule for public comment. Below are links to data collections associated with the FOP consumer research. The experimental study is now undergoing peer review.

• Front of Package Focus Groups - 2022
• Experimental Study
  • 60-Day Procedural Notice: Quantitative research on front of package labeling on packaged foods
  • 30 Day Procedural Notice: Quantitative research on front of package labeling on packaged foods
    • Screeners, Pretests and Experiment Instruments
    • Supporting Statements, Supplementary Documents, and Public Comments
• Front of Package Focus Groups-2 - 2023

For More Information

• Front of Package Labeling Literature Review
• Front of Package Labeling Presentation at the Reagan-Udall Foundation For the FDA Public Meeting on November 16, 2023