On June 5th, the Society of Behavioral Medicine released its official position statement on front-of-package nutrition labels (FOPNL) to enhance nutrition literacy and promote healthier food choices. Endorsed by nine national organizations, including the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior and the Obesity Society, the statement was disseminated to U.S. legislators. 

Four M.D./M.P.H. students—Brett Frank, Caitlyn Chong-Yen, Neel Sonik, and Simran Prakash—co-authored this influential position statement alongside Sara St. George, Ph.D., associate professor, and director of the M.S. program in Prevention Science & Community Health at the Department of Public Health Sciences. 

The position statement emphasizes the significance of FOPNL policies in reducing the consumption of unhealthy nutrients. According to Frank, some of the most important findings from the statement are that not only do Americans consume significantly more sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars than recommended. 

The statement advocates for mandatory FOPNL policies to improve public health outcomes. By providing clear, accessible information about the nutritional content of foods, FOPNL policies aim to empower consumers to make healthier choices and address the prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases. 

The U.S. relies on the NFL to provide valuable dietary information. However, consumers often struggle to accurately assess the healthfulness of foods based solely on this label. Additionally, the NFL is typically located on the back of packages, making it less accessible for quick reference and hindering consumers' ability to readily view important nutrient information. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is exploring FOPNL options as part of the White House’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. FOPNL would complement the existing NFL.

Frank notes that FOPNL policies have already been implemented in different forms around the world and have been found to improve consumption habits. “Chile was among the first to mandate FOP, nutrient-specific warning labels and has observed reductions in purchases of calories from sodium, saturated fat, and sugar,” he said.

The genesis of the collaboration began with a project on nutrition labeling in a prevention science course taught by Eric Brown, Ph.D., professor and director of the Ph.D. program in Prevention Science and Community Health. Recognizing its potential, Dr. Brown facilitated a connection between the students and Dr. St. George.

“Dr. Brown’s class inspired us by outlining different forms that programs can take to enact positive change in communities,” said Frank. “Dr. Brown had brought in former students who had implemented what they learned in his class into their capstone projects, which added a level of attainability to much of the theory that we were learning.”

Dr. St. George and the students' collaboration highlights the integration of academic inquiry with practical public health advocacy. Their work exemplifies how interdisciplinary projects can produce substantial contributions to public health policy and emphasizes the University of Miami's commitment to fostering innovative research and advocacy among its students.

Collaborators and other professionals urge members of Congress to co-sponsor the TRUTH in Labeling Act of 2023, which updates front-of-package food labeling requirements that would allow consumers to quickly identify foods high in sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar. “We also urge the FDA to issue regulations that require front-of-page nutrition labeling. These labels should be mandatory and nutrient-specific,” Dr. St. George emphasized.

Written by Deycha Torres Hernández, published on July 30, 2024.