One of the best tips may be to completely ignore claims on the front of the packaging.
Front labels are often designed to attract buyers by highlighting health-related claims, which may not always accurately reflect the product’s overall nutritional value.
In fact, 2020 research shows that front-of-package nutrition labels can create a “halo effect,” leading consumers to perceive even unhealthy products as healthier, which can influence their choices regardless of the food’s actual nutritional quality.
Manufacturers sometimes use health claims on labels in ways that can be misleading, and in some cases, the claims may not fully reflect the product’s actual nutritional content.
Examples include many high sugar breakfast cereals and granola brands that, despite front-of-package claims, are not actually healthy. It’s also important to remember that labels like “gluten-free” or “vegan” don’t necessarily mean a product is nutritious.
This makes it hard for consumers to choose healthy options without thoroughly inspecting the ingredients list.
SUMMARYFront labels are often used to tempt people into buying products. However, some of these labels are highly misleading.