There are many different types of front of pack nutrition labels in use around the world. Use this article to learn about some of the most widely used nutrition labels.

Front of pack (FOP) nutrition labels are provided to help consumers make more informed choices. When nutrition information is noticeable and easily understood, it can drive consumers to make healthier choices. Nutrition labels can also encourage food and drink companies to improve the nutritional quality of their products.

Traffic light labelling:

What is it?

Colour-coded system also known as the traffic-light labelling system.

Where is it?

United Kingdom. Launched by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and only in use in the UK. Voluntary but has been implemented by most major supermarkets and many major brands. Approximately 2/3 pre-packaged foods and drinks display the system on their front of pack.

When?

The Food Standards Agency first introduced traffic light labelling back in 2006, but the current scheme was introduced in 2013.

Criteria

The information is displayed as energy only or energy plus: fat, saturates, sugar and salt. The colours help consumers to interpret how ‘healthy’ a product is.  The red, amber and green colours are set by the government and provide an at-a-glance view of fat, saturates, sugars and salt levels in a portion of a food or drink.

A green lozenge indicates a low level of nutrients, a red lozenge indicates a high level. In accordance with EU regulation, energy is also declared as kJ/kcal per 100g or 100ml. The labels also include Reference Intakes (RI). These percentages are set by scientific experts and help track whether you’re under or over your daily allowance.

Pros and cons

The traffic lights are widely understood by shoppers and 58% claim to have looked at this information in the previous 3 months. However, there are aspects of the label that consumers find confusing, such as reference Intakes, energy and portion size. The criteria are calculated per 100g/ml. This can sometimes make it harder to choose the healthier option between similar products as they may both show up red for a nutrient, for example, regular and reduced-fat cheese may both have a red lozenge for fat.

Reference Intakes:

What is it?

FOP labelling system for pre-packaged foods and drinks.

Where is it?

In use in countries throughout the European Union.

When?

The Reference Intake figures (RI), were first mandated in 2016 under the EU Food Information for consumers regulation. These were previously known as Guideline Daily Amount’s (GDA) and were first on FOP back in 2005.

Criteria and background

Information is given for either energy only, or energy plus fat, saturates, sugars and salt. Information can be given for energy and 4 nutrients either per 100g/100ml or per portion. Energy information must be provided per 100g/ml.

Pros and cons

This scheme includes a lot of information, including the contribution that nutrients make towards your daily allowance. However, RIs only show you the amounts of negative nutrients that a product contains such as fat, sugars, salt and do not include positive nutrients such as fibre.

Nutri-Score:

What is it?

The Nutri-score labelling scheme grades foods by letter from A to E according to their overall nutritional quality. It is a voluntary scheme.

Where is it?

Currently in use in France and was recently approved to be used in Belgium, Spain and Portugal by their individual Ministries of Health.

When?

Initiated in France in 2017.

Background

The system is determined by assessing healthy and unhealthy nutrients. The Nutri-score system is based on one set of criteria for all pre-packaged food and drink and criteria modifications have been made for specific categories such as cheese, fats and non-alcoholic drinks. This differs from the EU and UK models which only have ‘food’ and ‘drink’ categories.

Criteria

The score is achieved by calculating negative points from energy, saturated fat, sugars, sodium and positive points depending on the proportion of fruits, vegetables and nuts, fibres and proteins. Overall points equating to a letter A-E to rank the foods nutrient quality.

Pros and cons

This scheme is helpful to consumers as they can compare the overall nutritional quality of foods. Positive nutrients such as dietary fibre and fruit and vegetable content are included in the product evaluation. The scheme however does not help consumers looking out for specific nutrients such as salt or sugars.

Nordic Keyhole:

What is it?

The Nordic keyhole symbol is the longest standing FOP label in Europe.

Where is it?

Its criteria were developed by authorities in Norway, Sweden and Denmark with support from Nordic Council of Ministers. It has now also been adopted in Iceland, Lithuania and Macedonia.

When?

Initiated and trademarked in 1989 by the Swedish National Food Agency.

Background

A simple logo that, although does not appear at first glance to have meaning, is very well recognised by Nordic consumers (98%). The keyhole shape was designed by combining the existing Nordic food circle and food pyramid and forming a new concept of food intake, aiming to include more and varied fruits, vegetables, grains, fish and less red meat.

Criteria

Products with the symbol comply with one or more of the following when compared with other foods of the same category: less and healthier fat, less sugar, less salt, more dietary fibre and wholegrains. Soft drinks, sweets, cakes and foods with artificial sweeteners cannot be labelled with the keyhole.

Pros and cons

The Keyhole system is a simple logo, easily identifying healthier products within a category. Dietary fibre and wholegrains are important components in a healthy diet, and these are included in the criteria for deciding to place the keyhole logo on products. The scheme however does not help consumers looking out for specific nutrients such as salt or sugars.

Stop-sign warnings:

What is it?

Government issued mandatory warning labels on pre-packaged foods that contain energy or negative nutrients exceeding certain threshold levels.

Where is it?

The system was introduced in Chile and was the first country to implement a FOP warning label.

When?

In 2012, a law was introduced declaring that pre-packaged foods with high levels of energy and nutrients of concern for diet-related disease must have a warning label on the FOP. The labels were introduced in 2016 by the Chilean government.

Background

It was hoped to have a positive effect on the country’s obesity problem. It allows consumers to make an informed choice and promotes reformulation of products. Since its introduction, several countries - including Uruguay, Peru and Israel - have introduced warning labels of their own.

Criteria

Pre-packaged foods with high levels of energy and nutrients of concern such as saturated fat, sodium or sugar have a warning label on the front of pack. Products can be labelled with four signs- the more labels the less healthy the product.Additionally, these foods cannot be sold or offered in schools and cannot be promoted to under 14-year olds. ¹⁴

Pros and cons

Although these warnings have a negative tone, they send a direct message and studies show the results have been positive. Some evidence suggests that the simpler the message on FOP labels the greater their effect on the public.¹⁵ The scheme however does not help consumers looking out for specific nutrients such as salt or sugars.

Health Star Rating:

What is it?

The Health Star Rating is a front of pack labelling system that rates the overall nutrition profile of packaged foods and assigns it a star rating from half a star to five stars.

Where?

Developed by Australian government and adopted in New Zealand.

When?

Introduced in June 2014.

Criteria and background

This system rates the healthiness of packaged foods from half a star to five stars. The system considers the saturated fat, sugar, salt and fibre, protein, nut, legume, fruit or vegetable content of the food and determines the number of stars by assessing the positive and negative nutrients.

Pros and cons

Consumers can simply compare similar foods to see how they compare in star ratings. The system is still relatively new but is progressing. Results show consumers are altering their purchasing behaviour and making healthier choices due to the new system.¹³

Choices Programme:

What is it?

The Choices logo on packaged foods carries a positive health message helping consumers identify the healthiest option available.

Where is it?

The Choices logo is currently in use in the Czech Republic, Argentina and Nigeria.

When?

Introduced in The Netherlands in 2006 after the World Health Organisation’s call for the food industry to tackle obesity and non-communicable diseases around the world.

Background

It helps the consumer by having products stand out as a healthier option. The Choices programme criteria is food-category specific and was developed for all types of foods including snacks, sweets and soft drinks. Several other countries around Europe and Asia have since created their own labelling programmes in collaboration with the Choices programme.

Criteria

The criteria include both qualifying and disqualifying components, i.e minimum values for fibre and maximum values for energy, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, total sugars and added sugars.

Pros and cons

This is a simple logo that has been effective in driving product reformulation. The scheme however does not help consumers looking out for specific nutrients such as salt or sugars.

Healthier Choice: