The adoption of best practice front-of-pack nutrition labeling in additional countries of the Americas will help reduce poor-nutrition related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) comparable to heart problems, type-2 diabetes, hypertension and a few cancers within the region, a recent study led by researchers on the University of Nevada, Reno and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) suggests.
The study, published today within the Lancet Regional Health Americas, examined the evolution of those policies throughout the PAHO/World Health Organization Region of the Americas (AMRO).
Improvements to front-of-pack nutrition labeling (FOPNL) included larger warning labels, contrasted background for higher noticeability, use of “excess” as an alternative of “high in” to enhance understanding, and adoption of PAHO’s nutrient profile model to raised define nutrient thresholds. FOPNL systems aim to help a population’s understanding of dietary content in a product, reduce consumption of ultra-processed and processed food products high in fats, sugars and/or salt, and ultimately help consumers make healthier decisions.
The progress of front-of-pack nutrition warning labels within the Americas illustrates that the diffusion of best practices within the region have been shown to enhance the dietary quality of purchases and have been related to improved food plan quality, which in turn is related to reduced risk of NCDs.”
Dr. Eric Crosbie, co-author on the study and associate professor within the University’s School of Public Health
Within the Americas region, all 35 PAHO member states have discussed FOPNL, 30 countries have formally introduced FOPNL, 11 have adopted FOPNL and 7 (Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela) have implemented FOPNL.
“Front-of-pack nutrition labels have evolved within the Americas to offer the perfect options to populations,” Dr. Fabio Da Silva Gomes, co-author of the study and advisor of nutrition and physical activity at PAHO, said. “The accrued lessons and evidence have driven countries to succeed in regulatory excellence by adopting octagonal warning labels together with PAHO’s nutrient profile model to guard and promote healthy eating and public health.”
The study found that improved FOPNL step by step expanded its presence within the region, gaining momentum previously few years and evolving to align with evidence and PAHO’s best-practice policies. Researchers beneficial that governments still discussing and waiting to implement FOPNL should follow such practices to enhance the uptake and impact of the policy to assist reduce poor-nutrition related NCDs within the Americas.
Source:
University of Nevada, Reno
Journal reference:
Crosbie, E., et al. (2022) A policy study on front-of-pack nutrition labeling within the Americas: Emerging developments and outcomes. The Lancet Regional Health – Americas. doi.org/10.1016/j.lana.2022.100400.