Toward Multidimensional Front-of-Pack Labels: Integrating Nutritional, Environmental, and Processing Information
Luca Muzzioli, Lucia Maddaloni, Maria Pintavalle, Eleonora Poggiogalle, Olivia Di Vincenzo, Silvia Migliaccio, Giuliana Vinci, Lorenzo M. Donini
Abstract
Front-of-pack labels (FOPLs) have been identified as a potential key tool to enable consumers to make healthier and more sustainable food choices. The simplification of complex nutritional, environmental, and processing data into clear and immediate formats is an essential function of FOPLs, which facilitates a more efficient connection between detailed product information and real-world purchasing decisions. This review critically evaluates the three main categories of FOPL-nutritional (e.g., Nutri-Score), environmental (e.g., Eco-Score) and processing-based (e.g., NOVA)-and examines emerging efforts to weave these dimensions into unified labelling frameworks. A bibliometric analysis of 1803 publications from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted, using VOS viewer to identify co-occurrence networks and thematic clusters. A narrative synthesis of label design methods, regulatory steps and consumer impact research followed this. Despite the considerable maturation of individual FOPLs, their combined application remains ad hoc. Establishing harmonized, multidimensional criteria is therefore essential to ensure consistent labelling that informs consumers and promotes public health and sustainability goals.