The global obesity epidemic, affecting over a billion people, is fueled largely by the consumption of processed foods high in salt, sugar, and fat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these dietary choices contribute to approximately eight million premature deaths each year due to obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. However, many governments have struggled to introduce policies to curb the crisis. Presently, only 43 of WHO’s 194 member countries have front-of-package labeling, either mandatory or voluntary, despite evidence suggesting these labels can influence healthier buying decisions.
Since 2019, WHO has been working on guidelines to help consumers make more informed food choices, with a final release expected in early 2025. The guidelines propose “interpretive” labels, which clarify a product’s healthfulness rather than merely listing nutritional information. An example is NutriScore, used in some European countries, which ranks foods from A (green, nutrient-dense) to E (red, high in added sugars, fats, or calories). In Latin America, Chile has implemented a stricter system using black stop-sign-shaped labels on foods high in sugar, salt, or fat, which has led to significant reductions in the consumption of sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and calories.
Yet, interpretive labeling has faced resistance from the food industry, which favors “non-interpretive” labels that only list nutrient values, leaving interpretation up to consumers. Lindsey Smith Taillie, co-director of the Global Food Research Program, has pointed out that such labels are less effective in reducing unhealthy consumption. She noted that Chile’s warning labels, alongside child-focused marketing restrictions, led to a decrease in the purchase of foods high in sugar, sodium, and calories.
The International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA), representing companies like Coca-Cola and Mondelez, claims its members comply with global standards for nutrition labeling, providing nutrient information on packaging. IFBA Secretary-General Rocco Renaldi suggests that while they support nutrient-based labeling, health warnings might misrepresent products that regulators deem safe.
Although the WHO sees promise in interpretive labels, it acknowledges that further research is necessary to find the most effective system. With new guidelines due in early 2025, advocates hope clear labeling can shift consumer behavior, helping to reduce obesity and related diseases worldwide.
