Nutritionist Azahara said she provided a guide on interpreting food labels to help consumers identify ultra-processed products and high sodium levels [1].
Understanding these labels is critical for public health as it allows consumers to detect hidden calories, saturated fats, and sugars that contribute to chronic illness [1, 2].
In Spain, consumers must typically examine the nutrition table located on the back of the packaging to find detailed information [1]. This process is essential for distinguishing between whole foods and ultra-processed items, which often mask unhealthy ingredients through complex labeling [1, 3].
Azahara said monitoring sodium intake is important, as many processed foods contain levels that exceed recommended daily limits [1]. While Spain relies on the reverse-side table, other regions have implemented different systems. For instance, Colombia and Chile have utilized specific warning labels to alert buyers to high concentrations of salt or sugar [1].
There is a global divergence in how this information is presented to the public. While Spanish standards keep the data on the back, some proposals in other jurisdictions, such as those from the FDA in the U.S., suggest placing nutritional information on the front of packages to increase visibility [1, 4].
Properly reading these labels requires looking beyond marketing claims on the front of the box. By focusing on the ingredient list, and the nutritional table, consumers can make informed choices about their dietary intake [1, 2, 3].
“Consumers must typically examine the nutrition table located on the back of the packaging.”
The discrepancy between Spanish labeling practices and the front-of-package proposals seen in other regions reflects a global tension in food regulation. By shifting data from the back to the front, regulators aim to reduce the cognitive load on consumers, potentially lowering the consumption of ultra-processed foods and reducing the prevalence of diet-related diseases.
