Nutrition labels are required for food products sold in the United States. The FDA has proposed adding nutrition labels to the front of packages to better inform consumers.
Front-of-Package labels would boost nutrition info for consumers
K-State food scientist says FDA proposal would make it easier to shop for nutritious foods
At a glance: The FDA has proposed front-of-package nutrition labeling for food products in the U.S. K-State food scientist Karen Blakeslee explains how the move could help consumer make more informed decisions when purchasing packaged foods.
More information: Karen Blakeslee, 785-532-1673, kblakesl@ksu.edu
Related: Rapid Response Center for Food Science | You Asked It! food safety newsletter | Front-of-Package nutrition labeling (FDA)
Feb. 12, 2025
By Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. – American consumers may soon get another assist in efforts toward good health if a recent proposal from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is passed.
Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee said the FDA has proposed front-of-package nutrition labeling for food products in the U.S. The additional label will only give information for saturated fat, sodium and added sugar, and classify them as low, medium or high in value to the particular food product.
The full Nutrition Facts label will still be on food packages, Blakslee said.
“The goal is to give consumers more information to make informed decisions when purchasing packaged foods,” she said. “For those with certain health conditions, this can make it easier to shop for foods that are good choices for them.”
Blakeslee said that Nutrition Facts labels – typically located on the back or right side of food packaging – “have long been a challenge for consumers to understand.”
A smaller label on the front of the package will remove much of the confusion regarding the nutritional value of any particular food product, she said.
“It can increase nutrition transparency in an easy-to-read format,” Blakeslee said.
Front-of-package nutrition labeling is already used in many countries, including Canada and Mexico. Currently in the U.S., food manufacturers can voluntarily add front-of-package labels, called Facts Up Front.
Current federal dietary recommendations advise U.S. consumers to limit their intake of saturated fat, sodium and added sugar to achieve a nutrient-dense diet within calorie limits. The FDA’s proposal is currently in the comment phase in order to receive more information from contributors.
More information on front-of-package nutrition labeling is available online from the FDA.
More food safety and nutrition tips also are available online from K-State’s Rapid Response Center for Food Science. Blakeslee publishes a monthly newsletter, called You Asked It!, with timely tips for safe food in and out of the home.
More information is also available at local extension offices in Kansas.
***
K‑State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.