Publication Date
Spring 2025
Abstract
This research examines front-of-package nutrition labeling (FOPNL) systems in three distinct policy environments: the United States (voluntary industry-led), Switzerland (government-endorsed voluntary), and Chile (mandatory warning labels). Through comparative policy analysis and consumer interviews, the study evaluates how different regulatory approaches influence nutritional awareness and purchasing behaviors. Key findings demonstrate that Chile's mandatory warning labels are most effective at reducing consumption of unhealthy foods and improving consumer understanding, particularly among children. In contrast, voluntary systems in the U.S. and Switzerland show limited impact due to inconsistent implementation and industry resistance. The study highlights significant implementation challenges, including First Amendment concerns in the U.S. and cultural resistance to labeling traditional foods in Switzerland, which influence policy making. These findings suggest that while no single global FOPNL model exists, evidence-based principles can guide nations in developing effective, context-appropriate labeling systems to combat diet-related diseases.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Malickel, Amani, "From Policy to Perception: How Government Motivations Shape Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling and Influence Consumer Understanding in the USA, Switzerland, and Chile" (2025). Switzerland: Global Health and Development Policy. 7.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/szh2/7