Information on packages is important.

A recent poll of almost 2000 consumers of varying ages and demographics, confirms the obvious: nutritional information on packaging is an important consideration when buying a product. A typical package, especially those for snacks with reduced “something,” has several areas devoted to nutritional information.

In our poll, we asked consumers to tell us which of the following was most important for getting nutrition facts.

• 47% Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP)
• 28% Front-of-package information
• 25% Ingredient statement

The first place consumers are likely to see the nutritional information is on the front of a package. This area is designed to catch a shopper’s eye.

The bitter truth: sweeteners are not alike.
If you’re wondering if all sweeteners are the same, the simple answer is NO. Unfortunately, labeling requirements today allow manufacturers to simply state the grams of “sugars” contained in a product.

The nutrition facts panel does not provide additional details on any alternative sweeteners the product may contain. Also, manufactures are not required to inform a consumer on the front of the package when a product contains an artificial sweetener.

Sugars on labels: before and after.
Here’s an example of what we’d like to see on packages

Current Nutrition  Facts Panel	Proposed Nutrition Facts Panel

Current Primary Display Panel	Proposed Primary Display Panel