Nutri-Grade Labels Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption, Drive Reformulation
A Duke-NUS Medical School study found that mandatory Nutri-Grade front-of-pack labels have decreased sugary drink consumption and encouraged industry reformulation of products.
Mandatory Nutri-Grade front-of-pack labels on beverages have successfully reduced household consumption of sugary drinks and prompted manufacturers to reformulate their products with less sugar, according to a study by Duke-NUS Medical School.
The research, published in the American Journal of Public Health, analyzed household purchase data for pre-packaged beverages from April 2019 to March 2024. The findings revealed that following the implementation of the Nutri-Grade system in December 2022, the sugar content in purchased beverages decreased by 18 percent per day. Purchases of less healthy drinks, graded C or D, saw a significant reduction of 44 percent.
The study also observed that the beverage industry responded to the labeling system by reformulating products to lower sugar content. Overall, reformulation efforts led to a 21 percent reduction in sugar. The use of non-sugar sweeteners increased by 6 percent across reformulated beverages. Dairy-based drinks also showed adjustments, with increased lactose and decreased saturated fat.
Researchers noted that the Nutri-Grade labels steer consumers towards healthier choices and encourage manufacturers to improve their products. However, the study suggests that labeling policies may need periodic updates to keep pace with industry practices. Additionally, enhancing nutrition literacy among consumers is seen as a way to amplify the impact of such labeling measures.