The Food and Drug Administration has announced it will start to test labels on the front of food packages hoping to give shoppers better access to nutrition information.
According to the FDA in a recent filing, the goal is to address diet-related chronic disease by “empowering consumers with nutrition information to help them more easily identify healthier choices and encouraging industry innovation to produce healthier foods.” The agency hopes to enact new regulations on labels by December, according to the filing.
The agency stressed the new front of package labels would complement and not be a replacement for traditional nutrition facts labels. By moving nutrition labels from the back of food packaging to the front, the FDA aims to give consumers better access to information about the food they’re consuming. The hope is by putting nutrition data right in front of shoppers will help them make more informed decisions about their nutrition and food choices.
While it is not known what specifically will change, in the past the agency has emphasized important factors to consider for consumers looking for the most nutritious options.
For instance, choosing foods high in protein and fiber and low in added sugar. The agency hopes the new labels stop the ingredients list from causing confusion and making healthier options clearer.