The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed new guidelines recommending that packaged food and beverages display clear nutritional information on the front of products to help consumers make healthier choices. This is part of an effort to combat the global obesity crisis, which affects over a billion people and contributes to approximately eight million premature deaths annually due to related conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
The WHO’s draft guidelines, which stopped short of calling for harsher warning labels, emphasize the need for “interpretive” labels that not only show nutritional information but also provide clarity on what these numbers mean for the product’s healthiness. An example of this system is NutriScore, used in several European countries, which ranks foods from A (green for healthy) to E (red for unhealthy), depending on their nutritional content.
While some countries, like Chile, have implemented more stringent labelling, including stop-sign-like warnings for products high in sugar, salt, or fat, the WHO’s guidelines remain less severe. Despite evidence showing that front-of-package labels can significantly influence buying behaviour, only 43 of WHO’s member states have implemented such labelling systems, whether mandatory or voluntary.
The WHO’s draft, which has been in the works since 2019, aims to support consumers in making healthier food-related decisions. It has now completed a public consultation and is set to finalize the guidelines in early 2025.
Lindsey Smith Taillie, a food labelling expert, noted that the food industry has resisted warnings, favouring non-interpretive labels like those used in the U.S., which provide information on nutrition without explaining its health implications. She added that while the WHO’s proposal is a step in the right direction, it is “fairly weak” compared to warning labels, which have been proven to limit excessive intake of harmful ingredients.
Research has shown the effectiveness of stricter labelling measures. In Chile, such warnings, along with policies like restrictions on marketing to children, have led to a 37% drop in sugar consumption, a 22% reduction in sodium intake, and fewer total calories consumed.
The International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA), which includes major brands like Coca-Cola and Mondelez, expressed general support for the WHO’s guidelines but cautioned against labelling that could “demonize” certain products. IFBA members already adhere to minimum global standards, including nutrient listings on the back of packages and energy content on the front, in line with international standards.
However, Rocco Renaldi, IFBA’s Secretary-General, pointed out that in some countries, like Nigeria and Pakistan, the market is dominated by local producers who may not follow these global practices. While supporting the guidelines in principle, Renaldi emphasized the need for a balanced approach, stating, “We don’t think health-warning type labels belong on food products that are deemed safe and approved for sale.”
The WHO’s final guidelines are expected to be released next year, as the world continues to seek solutions to the growing obesity epidemic.