Research
Adherence
Front-of-package labels that include interpretive text (e.g., 'High', 'Medium', 'Low') significantly improve label comprehension and correct nutrient identification compared to labels using only percentages or colors alone.
Choose labels that use simple text like 'High', 'Medium', or 'Low' alongside colors. This combination is the easiest way to quickly understand if a food is healthy or unhealthy without needing to calculate percentages.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
The UK FSA study found that the best predictor of successful label comprehension was the appearance of text indicating whether a product had 'high', 'medium' or 'low' levels of a specific nutrient
Why this rating
Based on the UK FSA study using factorial design, showing increased correct answers for both single nutrient and overall healthfulness evaluation.
Source
The science on front-of-package food labels
Kristy L. Hawley et al. · Public Health Nutrition · 2012
DOI 10.1017/s1368980012000754
narrative_reviewCited 517×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- The Multiple Traffic Light (MTL) front-of-package labeling system is the most effective existing labeling format for helping consumers correctly identify healthier food products compared to other systems like %Daily Intake or monochrome labels.Good
- Front-of-package labeling systems, particularly those with clear criteria like the Multiple Traffic Light or Choices logo, can drive industry product reformulation, leading to reduced sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar in processed foods.Good
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