FDA Issues Proposed Rule on Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling

On January 14, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a proposed rule to require a front-of-package (FOP) nutrition label on most packaged foods to provide accessible, at-a-glance information to help consumers quickly and easily identify how foods can be part of a healthy diet. The proposed FOP nutrition label, referred to as the Nutrition Info box, would detail and interpret the relative amounts of three nutrients—saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars—in a serving of food and would appear on the package’s front so that it is immediately visible when a consumer is deciding whether to buy, use, or eat the food. Current federal dietary recommendations advise U.S. consumers to limit these three nutrients to achieve a nutrient-dense diet within calorie limits.

The Nutrition Info box would quickly provide context for consumers on the front of food packages by detailing and interpreting (through “Low,” “Med,” or “High” descriptions) the relative amount of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars in a serving of food. The ranges corresponding to “Low,” “Med,” and “High” are as follows, and based on the percent daily value (DV) as shown on the Nutrition Facts panel:

• Low: 5% DV or less
• Med: 6% to 19% DV
• High: 20% DV or more

While calories would not be included in the Nutrition Info box, a manufacturer could voluntarily include a calorie statement on the front of the food package, per existing FDA regulations, including listing calories near the box.

The proposed Nutrition Info box would complement the Nutrition Facts label that is already required on most packaged food. Additional details and examples are published in the proposal.

The proposed rule would establish a compliance date of three years after the final rule’s effective date for businesses with $10 million or more in annual food sales and a compliance date of four years after the final rule’s effective date for businesses with less than $10 million in annual food sales.

Comments on the proposed rule can be submitted electronically on regulations.gov by May 16, 2025.