June 3, 2024
The International Food Information Council Releases New Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling Research To Help Consumers Make Healthier Food and Beverage Choices
(Washington, D.C.) — The use of Front-of-Package (FOP) nutrition labeling schemes has increased dramatically worldwide in recent decades. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated qualitative and quantitative consumer research to explore the development of a FOP nutrition labeling scheme. Given the multiple FOP initiatives underway at the FDA and health agencies throughout the world, the International Food Information Council (IFIC) has released the results of its most recent quantitative consumer study on FOP nutrition labeling, Front-Of-Package (FOP) Nutrition Labeling: Front & Center Food Information To Encourage Healthy Choices.
“Nutrition communications are ever-evolving, and so must on-label communications if we want to keep pace with today’s consumer. Too often, the consumer’s voice is left out of food policy conversations. That is why IFIC’s new Front-of-Pack labeling study and the work currently being done by FDA to understand consumer interpretations of Front-of-Pack nutrition labeling concepts is so critical,” said Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, President & CEO of the International Food Information Council (IFIC).
IFIC is one of the first to publish results on consumer reactions to FOP labels being considered by the FDA for a potential standardized FOP scheme on food packaging. IFIC’s study also included FOP labels with calorie and dietary fiber information, two elements not included in the FDA’s current prototype FOP labels.
“One of the many intriguing findings from our new research is that no single FOP scheme was best for helping people identify the healthiest and least healthy food label,” said Kris Sollid, RDN, IFIC Senior Director of Research & Consumer Insights. “However, people found it easier to select the healthiest choice when calories and fiber, a health-promoting nutrient that Americans do not eat enough of, were included on Front-of-Pack labels. By including this information front and center on food packaging, consumers may be able to make healthier food choices,” Sollid added.
IFIC’s new FOP labeling consumer study examines multiple types of existing and potential FOP schemes—including Facts Up Front, consumer satisfaction with FOP nutrition information, the intersection between FOP labeling and a potential “healthy” symbol, the impact of interpretive language and color on FOP labels, and more.
The research was conducted online from October 4–27, 2023 among 3,000 Americans between the ages of 18 and 80 years. Funding for this study was provided via unrestricted grants from the broad-based food and beverage industry.
You can view the report of IFIC’s Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling Consumer Study on its website here.
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The International Food Information Council (IFIC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization with a mission to effectively communicate science-based information about food safety, nutrition, and sustainable food systems, serving the public good. To fulfill this mission and demonstrate its thought leadership in action, IFIC: 1) delivers best-in-class research and consumer insights to inform food, nutrition, and health stakeholders; 2) promotes science communications to positively impact consumer behavior and public health; and 3) convenes critical thought leaders to advance the food systems dialogue and science-based decision-making. For more information, visit https://ific.org and our resource hub http://foodinsight.org; Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, and sign up for our newsletter here.