Front-Of-Pack Nutrition Labelling: A Position Statement of the European Academy of Paediatrics and the European Childhood Obesity Group

Ann Nutr Metab. 2021;77(1):23-28. doi: 10.1159/000514336. Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Abstract

Background: Due to the growing risk of obesity and related diseases in the population of children, effective preventive measures are of great importance. Front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labelling may contribute to health promotion by increasing consumer awareness on the nutritional qualities of packaged foods and purchasing decisions, and it may stimulate food providers to improve the composition of products.

Summary: Appropriate labelling should enable customers to make healthy choices quickly and intuitively. Key Messages: The European Academy of Paediatrics and the European Childhood Obesity Group makes an appeal to European Union legislators to immediately introduce a mandatory, uniform, and interpretative FOP nutrition labelling system.

Keywords: Childhood obesity; Food labels; Front-of-pack label; Health promotion.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Academies and Institutes
  • Child
  • Consumer Behavior
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Food Labeling / methods
  • Food Labeling / standards*
  • Food Preferences / psychology*
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nutritive Value
  • Pediatric Obesity / prevention & control*
  • Pediatrics / standards*