Front-of-pack nutrition labelling schemes: an update of the evidence

This addendum of the JRC Science for Policy report “Front-of-pack nutrition labelling schemes: a comprehensive review” provides an update of the former publication regarding the effects of front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) schemes on consumers' understanding, food purchases, diet and health, as well as food reformulation. This addendum will further inform the Commission’s proposal for harmonised mandatory FOPNL announced in the Farm to Fork Strategy. The previous report reviewed the scientific literature regarding the effects of FOPNL on consumers, and food business operators. Emphasis was placed on consumer attention, preferences, and understanding of diverse FOPNL schemes, as well as FOPNL schemes’ effects on food purchases and their implications for diet and health. The report also discussed whether and to what extent the introduction of FOPNL schemes may affect producer efforts on food reformulation and innovation, highlighted potential unintended consequences of introducing FOPNL and described knowledge gaps and directions for future research. It was complemented by an overview of FOPNL schemes. In addition to an update and extension of the previous report with recent literature (published 05/2018-01/2021), the current report additionally addresses the effects of different labelling aspects (e.g. use of reference quantities, voluntary vs. mandatory implementation, combination of front-of-pack nutrition labels and claims on consumer understanding and consumer behaviour