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China introduces draft guidelines for front-of-pack nutrition labels

China plans to introduce four front-of-pack nutrition labels simultaneously depending on products’ nutritional profile, including a black-and-white warning label, an A-D rating, and a “Smart Choice” message.

The draft guidelines are part of the "Healthy China 2030" policy and propose a voluntary but standardised approach to front-of-pack (FOP) labelling for prepackaged foods, setting the stage for what could become a mandatory practice in the future.

China’s four-tier labelling system

The draft guidelines outline four distinct types of FOP labels, each tailored to different nutritional concerns and food categories. These are: warning labels, rating labels, encouragement labels, and informative labels. This tiered approach is designed to provide clear, accessible information to consumers, helping them make healthier food choices more easily.

Unlike most countries that opt for one nutrition label system to be used nationwide, the Chinese government is proposing to authorise all four nutrition labels listed below – Warning, Rating, Encouragement, and Informative – that manufacturers can use depending on the the product’s nutritional profile and the food and drink category. Legal experts at the National Law Review noted that manufacturers may only use one of these four nutrition labels on any given product.

The four nutrition labels are:

Warning labels: Targeted specifically at foods marketed to children aged 36 months to under 15 years old, warning labels are designed to alert consumers when a product exceeds certain thresholds for fat, sugar, or sodium content. Foods that bear these labels must not be marketed to children, underscoring the Chinese government’s commitment to reducing childhood obesity and related health issues.

Rating labels: These apply to all prepackaged foods (excluding cheese and processed cheese) and categorise products into four grades: A, B, C, and D. The grade is determined by the lowest individual rating among the fat, sugar, and sodium contents of the product, with Grade A representing the healthiest choice and Grade D the least healthy. This system provides a straightforward, at-a-glance evaluation of a product's nutritional value.

Encouragement labels: Designed to promote healthier choices, these labels can be used on ten specific food categories, including cereal products, milk and dairy products, and fruit and vegetable products. To qualify for an encouragement label, products must meet stringent criteria for fat, sugar, sodium, and saturated fat content, with the label carrying a “smart choice” message to guide consumers towards healthier options.

Informative labels: These labels provide detailed information on the content of fat, sugar, and sodium per 100g/ml or per serving, along with their percentage of the Chinese Nutrient Reference Value (NRV%). This allows consumers to see exactly how much of these nutrients they are consuming, with thresholds provided for when certain nutrient levels should be highlighted in red to indicate a higher content.

Aligning with global trends

China's introduction of FOP labelling guidelines is part of a broader global trend where countries are increasingly adopting or refining their FOP labelling systems. In Europe, several countries have implemented different FOP systems to help consumers make healthier choices. The Nutri-Score, which has been widely adopted in countries like France, Germany, and Spain, is one such system. This colour-coded label ranks foods on an A-E scale, with A representing the healthiest options. The system considers various factors, including the amount of saturated fat and sodium, both of which can negatively impact a product's score.

In 2024, the Nutri-Score system underwent an update to its algorithm, making it tougher on products high in salt and saturated fats. While this has led to more accurate classifications, it has also had a significant impact on certain food categories. For instance, the new algorithm improved the classification of fatty fish but negatively affected vegetable oils, highlighting the complexity of creating a one-size-fits-all nutritional label.

The Nordic countries, meanwhile, have implemented the Keyhole system, which only highlights products that are considered the "better choice" within their category. Foods that qualify to carry the green Keyhole logo must meet criteria for lower unhealthy fats, less salt, higher dietary fibre, and less sugar compared to similar products. This system is less about warning consumers and more about guiding them towards healthier alternatives.

In the UK, the Traffic Light system provides a simple, colour-coded guide to the levels of fat, saturated fat, sugar, and salt in a product. Each nutrient is rated as either green (low), yellow (medium), or red (high), but unlike the Nutri-Score, this system does not provide an overall score for the product. Instead, it allows consumers to make judgements based on which nutrients they prioritise.

Latin America’s monochrome warning labels

Many countries in Latin America are opting for stark, monochrome warning labels. In countries like Chile, Ecuador, and Argentina, foods that are high in saturated fats, sodium, or sugar must carry prominent warning labels. These labels, typically black-and-white and shaped like stop signs, are designed to be unmissable, ensuring that consumers are fully aware of the potential health risks associated with consuming such products.

Chile's FOP warning labels have been particularly successful in driving down the consumption of unhealthy foods. Since the introduction of these labels, there has been a noticeable decrease in the sale of products high in sodium and saturated fats, demonstrating the effectiveness of this straightforward approach. The success in Chile has inspired other countries in the region to adopt similar systems, contributing to a significant shift in consumer behaviour towards healthier food choices.

Looking ahead: The future of FOP

China’s approach to FOP labelling, which shares similarities with systems in Europe and Latin America, also introduces unique elements that could influence future global standards. The country’s focus on key nutrients like fat, sugar, and sodium aligns with the health priorities seen in Nutri-Score and Latin American warning labels. However, China's introduction of encouragement labels that actively promote healthier choices, and its specific focus on children’s nutrition, sets it apart. These features, combined with a tiered system that offers flexibility and specificity, highlight China’s potential to shape the future of global FOP labelling initiatives.

As the debate around FOP labelling continues, one thing is clear: these labels are becoming an integral part of the global food landscape. Whether through warning labels, rating systems, or informative guides, FOP labels are playing a crucial role in shaping consumer choices and, ultimately, public health outcomes.