Implementing nutrition labelling policies: a review of contextual factors

Sept 2021 · World Health Organization

About this eBook

Nutrition labelling on packaged foods is intended to inform the consumer of nutritional properties of a food. However, some labels may create false perceptions of the healthfulness of products and may confuse or mislead consumers. To address this challenge and to support Member States in implementing policy measures, as recommended by the Framework for Action from the 2014 Second International Conference on Nutrition, the World Health Organization (WHO) is in the process of developing evidence-informed policy guidelines on the food environment, including on nutrition labelling policies (with a focus on ingredient lists, nutrient declarations, supplementary nutrition information and health and nutrition claims). This review on contextual factors to be considered in the implementation of nutrition labelling policies was prepared as part of the required process for WHO guideline development.