The growing role of front-of-pack nutrition profile labeling: a consumer perspective on key issues and controversies

Nutrition related diseases such as some cancers, heart diseases and obesity belong to the most challenging health concerns of our time. Communicating intuitive and simple nutrition information by means of front-of-pack nutrition profile signposting labelling is increasingly seen as an essential tool in efforts to combat unhealthy food choices and improve public health. Consequently, much attention in policy and research is given to nutrient profiling methods and the determination of optimal nutrition criteria. Although consumer research on nutrition signpost labelling is now gradually appearing in the literature, the value and meaning of these labelling systems for consumers have received less attention. In the current debate a concise overview is lacking of the consumer perspective including relevant psychological phenomena in relation to much debated controversies surrounding these labels and their further development, such as the most effective type of signposting labelling system and varying stakeholder interests. Therefore, this paper aims to critically review the literature in the consumer domain of front-of-pack nutrition labelling in order to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of this form of nutrition education from a consumer perspective.