Exploring Food Label Characteristics, Accessibility, and Regulation in an Era of Technological Advancements and Shifting Consumer Needs

Publication Date

10-11-2025

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Nutrition and Health United Kingdom

Volume

Part F1022

DOI

10.1007/978-3-031-95373-6_12

First Page

269

Last Page

294

Abstract

A substantial intersection exists between food labeling, nutrition, and public health sciences. This chapter explains the concept of proper food labeling and its role in preventing diet-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. By examining the role of nutritional information, including the different types of health labels and label claims, this chapter delves into how these elements raise awareness of and foster knowledge about healthy food options among consumers to promote informed decision-making. This chapter explores the factors that influence consumer food preferences, such as food, appearance, taste, cultural values and traditions, and environmental impact. It identifies the major policies that aim to regulate food labels such as the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act and Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act; it addresses the challenges and opportunities in aligning these food-labeling regulations with evolving health priorities and consumer needs. Using a systems framework, this chapter explores the connections between transparent food labeling and different levels of the public health ecological framework, including the individual, organizational, and policy levels. This chapter highlights the importance of major educational initiatives in raising consumer awareness and food label literacy as well as the role of technology-based interventions, designed to improve consumer accessibility to food label information. Given the evolving landscape of nutrition science and public health, this chapter aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the intersection between food labeling and health, offering valuable insights for policymakers, health professionals, and consumers striving to make healthier food choices in an increasingly complex food environment.

Keywords

Clinical nutrition, Consumer choice, Disease prevention, Food label regulation, Food labeling, Food science, Front-of-pack labels, Label claims, Nutrition facts, Systems framework

Department

Public Health and Recreation

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