Journal article : Review
Systematic review of nutrient profile models for front-of-pack nutrition labelling
- Abstract:
- Front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) systems, based on underlying nutrient profile models (NPMs) that classify foods according to their nutritional composition, are key policies for tackling diet-related non-communicable diseases. Yet, the growing number of NPMs poses a challenge for policymakers to select appropriate models for FOPNL policies. This systematic review identifies and characterizes the NPMs developed and/or used for FOPNL systems, from both peer-reviewed and grey literature. We identified 42 NPMs, of which 15 were developed for warning labels, 11 for nutrient-specific systems (including traffic-light labelling), 11 for health endorsements, 4 for summary scores and 1 for other systems. All NPMs limited the content of sugar, and most limited sodium and saturated fat. Convergent and criterion validity were demonstrated for nine and three NPMs, respectively. Considerable heterogeneity across NPMs suggests limited consensus on what constitutes the most appropriate NPM for FOPNL, reinforcing the need for greater regional guidance and alignment.
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Peer reviewed
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- Files:
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-
(Preview, Accepted manuscript, pdf, 165.2KB, Terms of use)
-
- Publisher copy:
- 10.1038/s43016-026-01414-0
Authors
+ NIHR Evaluation Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre
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- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/03d7d0579
- Grant:
- NIHR133887
- Programme:
- Public Health Research Programme
+ Wellcome Trust
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- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/029chgv08
- Grant:
- 227132/Z/23/Z
+ RCUK | Economic and Social Research Council
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- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/03n0ht308
- Grant:
- ES/Y00311X/1
+ University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Population Health
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- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/052gg0110
+ University of Oxford - Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
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- Funder identifier:
- https://ror.org/052gg0110
- Publisher:
- Springer Nature
- Journal:
- Nature Food More from this journal
- Volume:
- 7
- Issue:
- 9
- Pages:
- 845–856
- Place of publication:
- England
- Publication date:
- 2026-08-28
- Acceptance date:
- 2026-07-28
- DOI:
- EISSN:
-
2662-1355
- Pmid:
-
42665731
- Language:
-
English
- Subtype:
-
Review
- Pubs id:
-
2453981
- Local pid:
-
pubs:2453981
- Source identifiers:
-
W7204550697
- Deposit date:
-
2026-09-28
- ARK identifier:
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- Springer Nature Limited
- Copyright date:
- 2026
- Rights statement:
- © 2026, Springer Nature Limited
- Notes:
- The author accepted manuscript (AAM) of this paper has been made available under the University of Oxford's Open Access Publications Policy, and a CC BY public copyright licence has been applied.
- Licence:
- CC Attribution (CC BY)
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