U.S. to Propose Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels

The Biden administration will propose a front-of-package nutrition labeling system for foods and beverages high in fat or other negative nutrients, according to news reports.

The proposal would require some kind of warning on the front labels of products with high negatives like calories, fat or sodium. It will be part of a package of recommendations for the industry that will be unveiled at a Sept. 28 conference on food policy.

If such a program is instituted, the United States would join a handful of nations in mandating front-of-pack nutritional information. One study showed that in Chile, such a system resulted in high-calorie foods losing market share by 12% to 18%.

Such a system, however, would face formidable obstacles in the U.S. Five Democratic senators proposed mandates last year for front-of-pack labeling, but it would face a divided Congress with many members who are hostile to expanding any regulations on business.

The White House’s conference on hunger and food policy will be the first such effort since 1969, which resulted in the birth of the food stamp program.