MANILA, PHILIPPINES – When you’re in the grocery store, how do you decide which food to grab? Maybe you’re checking the price, looking for a favorite brand, or scanning the expiry date. But here’s a tip: don’t forget to check the front of the pack — that’s where a lot of the nutrition clues are hiding in plain sight.
Welcome to the world of front-of-pack labels (FOP labels). These handy little guides are designed to help you make quick, informed choices about the food you eat. And guess what? You don’t need to be a nutritionist to understand them.
So, what are front-of-pack labels?
Front-of-pack labels are the nutrition indicators you’ll find right on the front of food packaging. Think of them as your food’s “elevator pitch” — they give you a snapshot of its nutritional content so you can decide at a glance if it fits your lifestyle or dietary needs.
But here’s the important thing: food is not good or bad based on a single number or ingredient. The goal of these labels isn’t to scare you or shame your choices — it’s to help you snack mindfully and eat better as part of your overall diet and couple your choices with regular physical activity.
How front of pack labels can help you
- You learn to compare. Two similar products? The label can help you pick the better option for your goals.
- You save time. No need to flip over every pack and decode the nutrition information panel.
- You stay in control. Whether you’re managing sugar, sodium, calories, or fat, FOP labels help you stay on track.
Types of front-of-pack labels (and what they mean)
Different countries and brands use different systems — but here are three common types you might see:
1. GDA (Guideline Daily Amount)
What it shows: Calories, sugars, fats, saturated fats, and salt per serving, along with how much each contributes to your daily intake.
How to use it: It’s like a nutrition GPS — use it to track how a certain type of food fits into your daily caloric needs.
Why it’s good: Great for people who want the numbers. It puts things in context — because yes, that chocolate bar has sugar, but maybe it still fits in your daily allowance.
In the Philippines, certain food manufacturers have voluntarily implemented a GDA front-of-pack label, which shows how much energy (calories) are in every serving of the food you are about to consume.
2. Nutri-Grade or Nutri-Score
What it shows: A letter grade (like A to D) or a color code (green to red) based on how nutritious a food is overall based on a set of criteria, including thresholds for certain nutrients.
How to use it: The closer to “A” or green, the better the food is in nutritional quality.
Why it’s good: It’s quick and visual — helpful when you’re in a rush or just starting your health journey.
3. Warning Labels
What it shows: Black stop signs or symbols warning if a product is high in sugar, salt, or fat.
How to use it: It’s a heads-up that the food you are consuming may have high content of a certain nutrient.
Why it’s good: It is simple, but could cause avoiding a certain food rather than focusing on total diet.
So, what’s the best label?
Each label has its strengths, and they all aim for the same goal: to help you make better choices more easily. The real power comes when labels are used to address cultural needs, support education, and not judgment. Food is meant to be enjoyed, in moderation like everything else in life.
The key takeaway? Look at the label, but also look at the bigger picture — your overall diet, lifestyle, and personal health goals. Don’t forget to be physically active! One food item doesn’t define your health, just like one workout doesn’t make you fit. It’s about balance, variety, and mindful snacking.
So next time you’re in the store, take a second to glance at the front of that pack. It’s got more to say than just a pretty design — it might just help you live a little better, bite by bite.
With the goal of better informing and educating consumers, snacks company Mondelēz International and adobo Magazine are holding a collaborative workshop on effective design and communication guidelines for front-of-pack labeling for food and beverage products. The event, “Think Tank for Effective Front-of-Pack Labels,” will bring together graphic designers, marketers, health advocates, and industry leaders to collaborate on evaluating existing models of front-of-pack labels that communicate essential nutritional information.
The session will include discussions on best practices for integrating health messages and nutrition labels — bridging the gap between scientific understanding, graphic design, and communication principles. Participants will engage in collaborative brainstorming to co-create or evaluate effective innovative labeling concepts that resonate with consumers while adhering to regulatory standards.
The event will be held on May 8, 2025 at the Odd Cafe in Makati City, and will be opened virtually by Matt Kovac, CEO of Food Industry Asia (FIA).
For more information on Mondelēz International, visit mondelezinternational.com
