The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put forward a proposal that may require food manufacturers to place nutritional labels on the front of packaged items over the next few years.

These front-facing labels would apply to “most packaged foods” and are part of the FDA’s strategy to address the ongoing crisis of chronic diseases in the country, as stated in their announcement.

The label, referred to as the “Nutrition info box,” would inform consumers about whether products contain low, medium, or high levels of the following components:

• Saturated Fat
• Sodium
• Added Sugars

Community members can provide feedback on the nutrition info box until May 16 at www.regulations.gov.

Should the proposal receive approval, food manufacturers with annual food sales of $10 million or more will have three years to implement these labels, while those with sales under $10 million will have four years to comply.

FDA: Chronic Illnesses Lead to Disability and Death in the U.S.

The FDA highlighted that excessive intake of saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars is “directly linked” to chronic health conditions.

The agency pointed out that chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes rank as the top causes of disability and mortality in the U.S., with 60% of Americans affected by at least one chronic illness.

These chronic diseases also account for a significant portion of the $4.5 trillion spent on healthcare annually in the U.S., according to the FDA.

“A wealth of research shows that consuming too much saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars is a major contributor to this issue,” the FDA stated, emphasizing that many foods available in stores are “ultra-processed” and high in these harmful components.

The agency has also conducted its research; in 2023, it carried out a study involving nearly 10,000 adults to analyze consumer responses to three different types of nutrition labels.

The results revealed that a simple black-and-white nutrition information design showcasing percent daily values was most effective for guiding customers toward healthier choices.

FDA: Labels Support Biden-Harris Administration’s Efforts Against Illness and Obesity

According to the FDA, the nutrition info box is a key component of the White House’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, aimed at reducing diet-related illnesses by 2030.

This strategy focuses on five main objectives, including:

1. Enhancing food access and affordability by increasing free and nutritious school meal availability, extending Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) benefits to more children, and broadening Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility.
2. Integrating nutrition and health by collaborating with Congress to include coverage for medically-tailored meals in Medicare.
3. Equipping consumers with the tools needed to make healthier decisions, which includes the proposed front-package labeling initiative.
4. Encouraging physical activity for all through the expansion of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ CDC’s State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program to all states and territories.
5. Advancing research on nutrition and food security by securing funding for improved metrics, data collection, and study development.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert M. Califf commented that the goal is to simplify the shopping process, enabling consumers to quickly obtain essential information and make informed choices.

“Implementing front-of-package nutrition labeling on most packaged foods would achieve this goal,” Califf stated in the announcement.

FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones added that “food should promote wellness, not contribute to chronic disease.”

For the complete proposal, visit www.tinyurl.com/NutritionProposal.

Saleen Martin is a reporter from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin