Front-of-pack nutrition label appears to stimulate 'healthier' product development

In addition to helping consumers make healthier food choices, front-of-pack nutrition labels, such as the 'choices' label or 'trafiic light' logos that are in fashion today, could encourage companies to reformulate existing food products and/or develop new ones with a product composition more in line with dietary recommendations. In the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity the largest study to date on this topic was published recently. The study by Ellis Vyth and colleagues investigated the effect of a nutrition logo on the development of healthier products by food manufacturers in the Netherlands.

A total of 47 food manufacturers joining the Choices Foundation in the Netherlands indicated whether their Choices products were newly developed, reformulated or already complied with the Choices criteria and provided nutrient composition data for their products.

Most products carrying the logo as a result of reformulation and new product development were soups and snacks. Sodium (salt) reduction was the most common change found in processed meats, sandwiches, soups and sandwich fillings. Dietary fiber was significantly increased in most newly developed Choices product groups; for example, in fruit juices, processed meats, dairy products, sandwiches and soups. Saturated fatty acids and added sugar were significantly decreased both in reformulated and newly developed dairy products. Caloric content was significantly decreased only in reformulated dairy products, sandwich fillings and in some newly developed snacks.

The results indicate that the Choices logo has motivated food manufacturers to reformulate existing products and develop new products with a healthier product composition, especially where sodium and dietary fiber are concerned.