The Evolution of Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling: Global Trends and Its Impact on Consumer Health

Over the past decade, the global prevalence of obesity has escalated to alarming levels, prompting significant public health concerns. In 2022, approximately 1 in 8 individuals worldwide were living with obesity (including 1 in 3 in the EU and in North America), with adult obesity rates more than doubling since 1990 and adolescent obesity quadrupling during the same period.

This is particularly pertinent because obesity is a risk factor for many serious diseases and disorders such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes which are major contributors to premature deaths. The WHO acceleration plan to stop obesity has outlined strategies for governments to address this issue, including introducing nutrition labelling schemes that support consumers to make healthier choices, as well as monitoring the food environment for nutritional quality, prices and marketing practices.

Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling: A Decade of  Global Transformation

Many governments globally have introduced front of pack (FOP) nutrition labelling and regulations around sugar, fat, and salt as a key lever to combat obesity and associated non-communicable diseases. FOP nutrition labeling can empower consumers to make healthier food choices by simplifying the nutritional information into clear visual cues, using colour, ratings or symbols, making it easier to compare products.

Figure 1 shows the countries who were early adopters of FOP nutritional labeling. As early as 1989, Sweden added the voluntary ‘Keyhole symbol’ to their food labels, which was then added by Norway & Demark in 2009, followed by Iceland & Lithuania in 2013, and Macedonia in 2015. Other European countries included a voluntary nutrition traffic light label in 2013 (UK & Ireland), while a similar mandatory label was implemented in Ecuador in 2014. Australia and New Zealand also implemented a voluntary label known as the “Health Star” system in 2014.

Figure 1: Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling prior to 2015

Since 2015, various countries have implemented or proposed even more FOP nutrition labeling systems to provide accessible, at-a-glance nutritional information. Figure 2, highlights the evolution of FOP nutrition labelling globally as of 2025.

Figure 2: Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling 2025

Notable Changes in FOP Nutrition Labelling since 2015:

• • European Union: Several EU countries have adopted the Nutri-Score system, a voluntary FOP nutrition labeling scheme that rates the nutritional quality of food products using a color-coded scale from A (healthiest) to E (least healthy). France implemented Nutri-Score in 2017, followed by Belgium, Spain, Germany, and others.
  • Central and South America: In 2016, Chile implemented black octagonal warning labels on foods high in calories, sugar, sodium, or saturated fat. This measure led to a significant reduction in the purchase of unhealthy items and prompted food manufacturers to reformulate products to avoid the warning labels. Since this implementation, other South American countries have also adopted similar labeling (Peru in 2019, Mexico in 2020, Uruguay in 2021, Argentina in 2022, and Venezuala in 2024).
  • Canada: Health Canada introduced mandatory FOP nutrition label in 2022, with full implementation required by January 1, 2026. The label highlights products high in saturated fat, sugars, and sodium, aiming to assist consumers in making informed choices.
  • South East Asia: Many countries in South East Asia have introduced healthier choice logo’s. In 2022 Singapore introduced the mandatory Nutri-Grade label and advertising restrictions for all pre-packaged beverages, and out of home beverages from fountain dispensers, automated coffee machines and cafe’s / food service premises. The Nutri-Grade system rates beverages according to their sugar and saturated fat levels, with a special sugar declaration mark for toppings added.
  • United Kingdom: In addition to the voluntary FOP traffic light label for pre-packaged foods, the UK has implemented mandatory regulations to reduce advertising of foods and drinks high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) to combat childhood obesity. These regulations, effective October 1, 2025, include a ban on HFSS ads on TV before 9 PM and a complete ban on paid-for online ads for these products. The regulations, as outlined in the Advertising (Less Healthy Food Definitions and Exemptions) Regulations 2024, are designed to limit exposure of children to HFSS products through advertising.
  • Middle East: Colour coded traffic light labels have been introduced for pre-packaged foods in Iran (mandatory), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (voluntary).
  • Sugar Taxes on sugar sweetened beverages: Globally over 100 countries have introduced levies on pre-packaged sugar sweetened beverages to promote healthier beverage choices by consumers.

Future Considerations for FOP Nutrition Labelling

• • Singapore: From mid-2027, the Nutri-Grade labelling requirements and advertising prohibitions will be extended to key contributors of sodium and saturated fat intake. These measures will apply to 23 sub-categories of prepacked salt, sauces, seasonings, instant noodles, and cooking oils (SSSIO) sold in retail settings.
  • China has started to encourage companies to actively adopt the recommended standards of “Guidelines on graphic symbol of front-of-pack nutrition labelling in prepackaged Food” , which introduced four front-of-pack nutrition labels simultaneously depending on products’ nutritional profile, including a black-and-white warning label, an A-D rating, and a “Smart Choice” message.
  • India: FSSAI engaged with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) to seek expert advice on the most consumer-friendly front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) system used globally. IIM conducted an in-depth survey to assess consumer preferences for various nutrition labels in India. The results indicated that the Health Star Rating (HSR) system was the most preferred, owing to its ease of identification, understanding, reliability, and influence on consumer choices. Based on these findings, in February 2022 FSSAI decided to adopt the Indian Nutrition Rating (INR), a modified version of Australia’s HSR, tailored to suit Indian consumer behavior and dietary patterns.
  • USA: On January 14, 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the long-awaited Proposed Rule on Front-of-Package (FOP) Nutrition Labeling. The Nutrition Info box will categorize the levels of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars as “Low,” “Med,” or “High,” making it easier for consumers to understand the nutritional content at a glance. There are also plans to remove certain foods and beverages HFSS from SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) US.

While these initiatives have shown promise in influencing consumer behavior and encouraging product reformulation, their impact will be determined by regulatory framework, industry acceptance, and market restrictions. For FOP nutrition labeling to be fully beneficial it must be paired with broader public health policies that address the needs of healthy and sustainable dietary habits, such as education, accessibility, and cultural needs. As obesity rates continue to rise globally, the adoption and refinement of FOP nutrition labeling remain critical components of public health strategies.

Disclaimer: This article is based on information available as of June 12, 2025.