New Labels to Highlight Saturated Fat, Sodium, and Added Sugars
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new front-of-package (FOP) nutrition label for most packaged foods, aiming to provide consumers with clear, at-a-glance information about the levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars in their food. Known as the “Nutrition Info box,” the label will indicate whether these nutrients are present at “Low,” “Med,” or “High” levels, complementing the existing Nutrition Facts label.
The proposal comes as part of the FDA’s broader efforts to address diet-related chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, which affect 60% of Americans and drive $4.5 trillion in annual healthcare costs. Excess consumption of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars is a leading contributor to these diseases, and the FOP labels aim to empower consumers to make healthier food choices more quickly and easily. Click here for more details.
Evidence-Based Label Design
The Nutrition Info box design is informed by extensive research conducted by the FDA, including consumer focus groups, a scientific literature review, and an experimental study involving nearly 10,000 U.S. adults. The study found that a black and white FOP label displaying nutrient information alongside percent Daily Value enabled consumers to assess the healthfulness of products most effectively.
Reducing Chronic Disease Through Nutrition Labeling
FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D., emphasized the urgent need for better nutrition information, stating: “Adding front-of-package nutrition labeling to most packaged foods will make it easier for consumers to glance, grab, and go.” The initiative is also part of the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, which aims to reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.
FDA Deputy Commissioner Jim Jones added that the labels might encourage manufacturers to reformulate products to be healthier, contributing to a shift toward a healthier food supply.
Implementation Timeline and Industry Compliance
If the rule is finalized, food manufacturers would be required to include the Nutrition Info box on most packaged foods:
- Three years after the final rule’s effective date for businesses with $10 million or more in annual food sales.
- Four years after the final rule’s effective date for businesses with less than $10 million in annual food sales.
The FDA is inviting public comments on the proposed rule. Comments can be submitted electronically at http://www.regulations.gov by May 16, 2025.
Key Objectives of the Nutrition Info Box
The FOP nutrition label serves several objectives:
- Provide clear, accessible information on nutrients linked to chronic diseases.
- Complement the Nutrition Facts label for more detailed nutrient information.
- Support healthier eating patterns, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
The proposed label is part of the FDA’s ongoing work to reduce diet-related diseases, which includes the updated “healthy” claim, the development of a “healthy” symbol, and voluntary sodium reduction targets.
