Abstract
Purpose of Review
Guiding consumers toward more healthful food choices may help address the high prevalence of poor dietary quality and diet-related diseases. The use of front-of-package labels (FOPL) on food items is expanding to provide focused nutritional information or representations, often based upon nutrient profiling systems.
Recent Findings
FOPL provide a source of nutrition and health information that is readily understood by consumers, including those with limited literacy. There is evidence that FOPL can shift consumer behavior toward more nutritious and healthful choices. However, assessments of the effectiveness of FOPL have been restricted in scope and rely largely on simulation models rather than real-world environments.
Summary
FOPL are a direct source of nutritional guidance at the point-of-purchase and provide an opportunity to convey critical information on ingredients that are associated with health promotion and/or increased risk of non-communicable diseases. However, limited evidence regarding the most effective forms of FOPL to achieve behavior change and challenges from the food industry impedes the establishment of standardized nutrient profiles and algorithms. Future opportunities for FOPL include the potential for integrating nutritional profiles with non-nutrient factors affecting health such as food processing and environmental sustainability.
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Acknowledgments
Jeffrey Blumberg, Naglaa El-Abbadi, and Renata Micha have received financial support from a grant funded by Danone to study nutrient profiling systems. Renata Micha has received grant support from the NIH NHLBI (R01 HL130735; R01 HL115189) for support of the Food Policy Review and Intervention Cost-Effectiveness program.
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Salima Taylor declared no conflict of interest. Naglaa El-Abbadi, Jeffrey Blumberg, and Renata Micha have been supported by a grant from Danone to study nutrient profiling systems. Jeffrey Blumberg reports service on scientific advisory boards of AdvoCare, California Prune Board, California Walnut Commission, Church & Dwight, Cranberry Marketing Committee, Guiding Stars Licensing Co., Quaker Oats Co., Segterra, and SmartyPants (all outside the submitted work). Renata Micha reports research funding from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Nestle and personal fees from Bunge and Development Initiatives for the Global Nutrition Report (all outside the submitted work).
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El-Abbadi, N.H., Taylor, S.F., Micha, R. et al. Nutrient Profiling Systems, Front of Pack Labeling, and Consumer Behavior. Curr Atheroscler Rep 22, 36 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-020-00857-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-020-00857-5