Principal Display Panel and Information Panel Package Labeling

Front-of-package labeling, also known as the Principal Display Panel (PDP), plays a crucial role in providing consumers with quick and easy-to-understand information about the healthfulness of food and beverage products. The design of these labels is essential for helping consumers make informed choices, especially when it comes to factors like nutrition, ingredients, and allergens. However, designing effective front-of-package labels can be challenging due to various factors, and different labeling systems can indeed confuse consumers. Here are some key points to consider:

• Principal Display Panel (PDP) is the panel most likely viewed by the consumer. Usually contains the Statement of Identity, e.g., The statement of identity for a food is the name that appears on the label of the food. As a general matter, the statement of identity of a food (including dietary supplements) is the name specified by federal law or regulation, or, if no such name is specified, the common or usual name of the food. 

• Information Panel is the panel to the right of the PDP and contains usually the Nutrition Facts Panel, ingredient statement and statement of responsibility.

• Nutrition Facts Panel: Including basic nutrition information of the product front of the package can be helpful. This can include the number of calories, serving size, and the content of key nutrients like fat, sugar, and sodium. A simplified version of the standard Nutrition Facts Panel can offer a quick overview.

• Front-of-Package Symbols (non-regulatory): Some systems use symbols or logos to highlight certain nutritional characteristics. For example, a green checkmark may signify a healthier choice, while a red stop sign may indicate a less healthy option. These symbols should be standardized and easily recognizable to be effective.

• Color-Coding (non-regulatory): Color-coded labels can help consumers quickly assess the healthfulness of a product. For instance, a green label may indicate a healthy choice, while red signifies an unhealthy one. However, the criteria for assigning colors must be clear and consistent.

• Traffic Light System: (non-regulatory) Similar to color-coding, the traffic light system uses red, yellow, and green to represent the healthiness of a product. Red means high levels of undesirable nutrients, yellow means moderate, and green indicates low levels.

• Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) (non-regulatory): Some front-of-package labels use GDAs to provide information on how a product fits into a daily diet. GDAs typically include information on calories, fat, saturated fat, sugar, and salt.

• Key Nutrient Callouts: Highlighting key nutrients that are of particular concern (e.g., added sugars, trans fats, or high levels of sodium) can be effective in alerting consumers to potential health risks.

• Simplified Ingredient Lists: A simple and understandable ingredient list on the front of the package can help consumers identify products with fewer additives or more natural ingredients.

• Allergen Information: Clearly stating the presence of common allergens (e.g., nuts, soy, dairy) is essential for those with food allergies.

To avoid confusion among consumers, it's important for regulatory agencies to establish and enforce standards for front-of-package labeling. Standardized labeling systems, clear definitions, and educational campaigns can help consumers make more informed choices. Additionally, consumer testing and feedback can be invaluable in refining label designs to ensure they are genuinely effective in conveying product healthfulness while being easy to understand.