Nutritional labeling is an essential tool to help consumers make more conscious and healthy food choices. However, the lack of clarity and ambiguity in label information has been a persistent challenge. Studies have pointed to the difficulty consumers have in understanding labels, especially with regard to the percentage of daily values (%DV) and the interpretation of nutritional data (Gonçalves et al., 2015).
In Brazil, new labeling rules were implemented in 2022, with the aim of improving readability and including relevant information, such as the amount of total and added sugars (ANVISA, 2022). Additionally, the introduction of front labeling with the magnifying glass symbol to highlight the high content of critical nutrients, such as sugars, saturated fats and sodium, aims to facilitate the identification of less healthy foods. However, the effectiveness of this new model is still the subject of debate, with some organizations, such as the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (IDEC), defending the use of clearer warnings, such as the black triangle (Santiago; Rodrigues, 2023).
In other countries, such as Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay, regulations for nutritional labeling have also been implemented, with the aim of providing clearer and more accurate information to consumers (Crosbie et al., 2022). In the United States, the nutritional information label underwent revisions in 2016, seeking to make it more understandable, but still faces challenges regarding its interpretation (Wilson & Bendich, 2022).
It is essential that nutritional labeling is clear, accurate and easy to understand so that consumers can make informed decisions about their diet. Consumer education on how to interpret nutritional information, combined with more intuitive labels and effective regulatory measures, are crucial to promoting healthier food choices and contributing to the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases.
Reference :
SANTIAGO, Patrícia Rosany de Sales; RODRIGUES, Fabiano de Abreu Agrela. Nutrition: transparency on labels and consumer information. Latin Science Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal, v. 7, no. 4, p. 6088-6098, 2023.
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