Your Favorite Foods Could Soon Come With a Warning Label, Thanks to the FDA

Expect 'simplified, at-a-glance' information.

Food & Wine / The Food and Drug Administration

The FDA's proposed nutrition labels allow consumers to quickly see key nutrition facts like calories, fat, and added sugar.' title='The FDA's proposed nutrition labels. '>

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has tentatively proposed a big change to food labels in the U.S., including some nutrition information on the front of packages. The new feature is designed to complement the existing nutrition facts label that’s currently required on food packages.

According to the FDA , the front-of-package labels will give consumers “simplified, at-a-glance nutrition information” to help people quickly and easily make informed decisions about their food without having to flip the package over.

The conversation about food labels has been going on for years and is ongoing. In February, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders sent a letter to the FDA, urging for strong warning labels on certain foods. Some researchers have also recommend using a tobacco-style warning for ultra-processed foods, which is already used in many countries — including Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia.

Related: Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico Affix Their Ultra-Processed Foods With ‘Tobacco-Style’ Warning Labels — Should the US Follow Suit?

In the U.S., nearly 42% of American adults and 20% of children in the U.S. are classified as having obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Obesity is tied to a slew of serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. While obesity is a complicated condition, it’s been linked to a diet that’s high in ultra-processed foods.

Front-of-package labels haven’t been done in the U.S. before, but it’s not a completely new idea. Front-of-package food labeling has been introduced in other countries, including Israel and Singapore , over the past few years.

But what does this mean for food labels going forward and why is this even needed? Three dietitians explain.

What are the new changes?

Back in 2020, food manufacturers making $10 or more in annual sales had to change their labeling by January 1. And companies making less than that were granted an extension for January 1, 2023.

Now, the FDA has proposed a few additional changes to its nutrition labels. A big one is front-of-package food labeling to allow consumers to quickly see key nutrition facts like calories, fat, and added sugar. But the FDA also plans to tweak the existing nutrition facts label format. Those changes include:

• Larger, bolder serving sizes
• Updated serving sizes
• Larger type for calories
• Updated daily values
• Added sugars facts
• Change in some nutrients required
• Actual amounts of nutrients
• New footnote

Why is a change to food nutrition labels needed?

The FDA said in a report last year that front-of-package food labeling is helpful for busy shoppers and “those with lower nutrition knowledge,” but nutritionists say it goes beyond that.

“​​Food labels are a great way to inform the consumer of what they are putting into their bodies, however most people aren’t aware of how to read them, how to use that information, or decipher recent updates,” says Patrice Paolella, RDN, MPH , a lecturer in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences at the Rutgers School of Health Professions. In the past, the FDA has bolded certain ingredients and facts, added more vitamins and minerals, and listed added sugars, but not everyone understands what that means, she says.

Kristine Dilley, RDN , a dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, agrees, calling food labels “confusing” for the average person. “Many people do not understand what details of the label they should be focused on and how to prioritize nutrients if they have multiple health concerns,” she says. “Any changes that would simplify the information would encourage more participation in label-reading, which will help individuals make better decisions in what they are purchasing.”

Despite changes to nutrition labels over the years, “we’re eating too much added sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats,” says Christy Brissette, MS, RD, owner of 80 Twenty Nutrition .

How might putting key nutrition facts on the front of labels help?

A lot of this is about giving people nutritional highlights that they can quickly digest and use to make informed decisions. “Having detailed nutrition information on the back of the package is somewhat helpful, but adding a summary on the front of the package can help people make healthier choices more quickly,” Brissette says.

Related: Majority of Baby Foods in Major U.S. Grocery Stores Fail to Meet Nutrition Guidelines, New Study Finds

Paolella agrees. “Since we can’t put instructions on the package of how to read and use the food label, a top-level overview might be a great starting point to assist in consumer education and usability,” she says.

But this is mostly about speed, Dilley says. “Most people don’t want to spend more time than necessary in the grocery store,” she points out. “Having information on the front of the label would increase the likelihood that individuals would make healthier choices if the information is easily accessible and easy to understand.”

What dietitians recommend when it comes to decoding food labels

Nutrition labels provide a lot of information, and they can be overwhelming. That’s why Dilley recommends doing your best to become familiar with them when you’re not trying to make a purchase. “The more you read labels, the easier it is to understand them,” she says. “I encourage people to start practicing at home instead of trying to figure out labels in the grocery store.”

Paolella also suggests paying close attention to the serving sizes and servings per container, as well as the nutrition facts you need to help you meet your health goals. “If your concern is weight loss, you might want to focus on the total amount of calories you will consume with this product based on the number of servings you consume,” she says. “If the focus is on your cholesterol intake, then look at the amount of fat and cholesterol in the item.”

For high blood pressure, pay close attention to sodium content, while people interested in blood sugar control will want to be mindful of carbohydrates and added sugars, she says. And, if you’re not sure what to pay attention to, Paolella recommends reaching out to a registered dietitian for help.

It’s not clear when the FDA will launch front-of-package food labels, but the agency reportedly plans to release a proposed ruling in October.

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