Packaged Foods to Require Nutrition Labels on Front Under FDA Proposal

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a proposed rule that would require a front-of-package label with certain nutrition facts for most packaged foods. Comments on this proposal are due no later than May 16.

The proposed label would provide information on saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars content in a simple format showing whether the food has “low,” “med” or “high” levels of these nutrients. A large body of research indicates that excess consumption of these nutrients is a major contributor to the chronic diseases that are the leading cause of disability and death in the U.S., the FDA states, and there has been a proliferation of ultra-processed foods that often contain high levels of these nutrients. One FDA official said that not only would the proposed rule provide more related information to consumers, but it also could lead manufacturers to reformulate products to be healthier.

Under this proposed rule, the specified information would be required to appear in a compact informational box on the principal display panel or bulk food labeling of most foods bearing a “Nutrition Facts” label. This requirement would take effect three years after a final rule’s effective date for businesses with $10 million or more in annual food sales and four years later for other businesses.

The rule would also amend the nutrient content claim definitions for “low sodium” and “low