In a significant move towards addressing the global obesity crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued draft guidelines recommending that packaged foods and beverages carry easily understandable front-of-pack nutritional information. These new guidelines aim to inform consumers about the health impacts of products to encourage healthier food choices.
The guidelines, finalized after a public consultation that closed on October 11, advocate for “interpretive” labels. Unlike standard nutrient labels, interpretive labels aim to explain what the information means in terms of a product’s healthiness. For example, the widely adopted NutriScore system ranks foods from green (A) to red (E) based on nutrient density. This type of labeling has been shown to influence consumer choices, which is vital in a world where processed foods high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats drive rising obesity and related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
The WHO’s draft guidelines stop short of endorsing harsher warning labels, such as the black octagon “high in sugar, salt, or fat” labels used in countries like Chile. Nevertheless, these warning labels have yielded positive results. A recent study led by food labelling expert Lindsey Smith Taillie showed that, combined with advertising restrictions, Chile’s warnings led to a significant drop in purchases of unhealthy ingredients and calories.
However, the food industry has pushed back, arguing that labels should remain “non-interpretive.” According to the International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA), which includes global giants like Coca-Cola and Mondelez, nutrient information should be listed on the back of packages, with only basic energy content on the front when possible. The IFBA’s Secretary-General, Rocco Renaldi, emphasized that “health-warning type labels” are inappropriate for approved food products.
With obesity affecting over a billion people worldwide, many countries are seeking effective strategies to mitigate the epidemic. Yet, only 43 WHO member states currently have some form of front-of-pack labelling, whether voluntary or mandatory. The finalized WHO guidelines, expected in early 2025, could offer a unified approach, encouraging more governments to act.
As the global food industry navigates these changes, the spotlight remains on the balance between consumer health and industry interests. WHO’s new guidelines are a step towards prioritizing public health while acknowledging the complexities of international food markets.
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