Navigating front-of-pack nutrition labelling globally: Leatherhead’s Regulatory Insight Report

Front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) is essential for helping consumers make informed dietary choices. Food business operators (FBOs) are responsible for applying FOPNL to their products, based on the regulatory requirements in different markets. However, FBOs often struggle to understand the similarities and differences between the various systems and ensure overall compliance.

Leatherhead Food Research’s recently released Regulatory Insight Report aims to bridge this knowledge gap. Available exclusively to members, ‘Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling’ provides a comprehensive overview of existing and emerging FOPNL systems across 60+ markets.

FOPNL offers clear and accessible information about the nutritional content of foods and beverages and therefore are integral to public health strategies aimed at combating rising obesity rates and non-communicable diseases, (e.g. cardiovascular disease) worldwide.

For Leatherhead’s first Regulatory Insight Report, our experts conducted a comprehensive global analysis, focusing on three distinct categories of front-of-pack nutrition labelling: warning systems, repeated systems, and spectrum systems.

Warning systems

Pioneered by Latin America, warning systems were then adopted by countries outside the region, such as Israel and Canada. Warning systems emphasize the presence of high amounts of saturated fat, sugar, and sodium in food products, through logos or statements. Some systems also include energy, trans-fat or total fat content.

Repeated systems

Repeated systems involve declaring the nutrient content, in many cases alongside the percentage of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) of certain nutrients. In South Korea, the first front-of-pack calorie-only labelling was made mandatory in 2009. In 2011, Thailand pioneered a mandatory repeated FOPNL system for calories, sugar, fat and sodium. Further developments for this type of system are expected in 2025 for Sri Lanka.

Spectrum systems

Spectrum systems vary from market to market; however, the overall goal is to help consumers understand the nutritional content of food through an overall score. For instance, Singapore enforced mandatory use of a spectrum system in 2022 for non-alcoholic beverages, whereas Australia and New Zealand have been recommending usage of the Health Star Rating System for over a decade.

Providing key facts including guidance, on foods that must display FOPNL, how to apply the FOPNL system, formatting, prohibitions and upcoming changes, the report is a key tool in helping food businesses ensure their food and beverage products comply with regulations worldwide.

If you’re looking for a summary of FOPNL systems for your company’s strategic market entry plans or product development research programmes, look no further. Leatherhead’s Regulatory Insight Report will provide you with knowledge of compliance requirements, essential for overcoming potential barriers and challenges.

If you’re interested in receiving a copy of our Regulatory Insight Report: Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling, why not join Leatherhead Food Research as a member and unlock a host of benefits? In addition to gaining exclusive access to our Regulatory Insight Reports, membership offers a suite of invaluable resources:

• Multilingual regulatory support in over 150 countries through our Member Helpline
• Weekly Global Legal Highlights newsletter, keeping you up-to-date on regulatory developments worldwide
• Twice-a-week Food News, offering a snapshot of scientific, regulatory and commercial intelligence in the food & beverage industry
• White papers and webinars delving into hot topics, providing a blend of regulatory and scientific perspectives
• Other Regulatory Insight Reports – providing global horizon-scanning reports on specific regulatory topics, such as alcoholic beverage labelling and precision fermentation
• Annual Members’ Day – an exclusive update on evolving regulations
• Annual Regulatory Trends Report – read our blog on the 2023 report: Navigating global environmental sustainability trends

If you’d like to discuss the report in more detail or are ready to explore membership options, please connect with us at [email protected].