Food labels may have far-reaching effects on our health
By BBC, May 6, 2026Our environment drives many of the choices we make around what we eat. Evidence shows that to encourage healthier decisions, better labelling and education are important.
Walk into a standard supermarket and you are presented with a wide range of unhealthy, ultra processed options that can be difficult to resist.
We live in an age of abundance, and the average weight of the general population in many countries continues to rise. A key contributor to weight gain has been linked to diets high in ultra processed foods.
What is now becoming clearer is that the messaging on packaging itself influences what we buy and eat. Small changes to labelling can make a difference, but having better knowledge about nutrition can also help people make more informed choices.
Many experts say the food environment, including how food is produced, marketed and sold, creates conditions that encourage weight gain and unhealthy choices. To address rising obesity levels, both behaviour change and policy interventions are needed.
The food environment
By 2050, more than half of adults globally are predicted to be obese if current trends continue. Researchers warn that without effective intervention, overweight and obesity will keep increasing.
When the food environment itself is part of the problem, and is often designed to maximise profit, it becomes more difficult to change outcomes.
Public health experts note that while people may feel in control of their food choices, the surrounding environment plays a major role in shaping those decisions. This often leads individuals toward less healthy options.
Food choices are strongly influenced by what is available, affordable and visible.
Better labels
Ultra processed foods are often designed to be highly appealing. At the same time, there is growing evidence linking them to negative health outcomes.
Clear and simple food labelling can influence behaviour. For example, warning labels on products high in sugar, salt or calories have been shown to reduce purchases of such items.
In several countries, front of pack labelling systems use colour coding to show the nutritional quality of food. These labels are designed to help consumers quickly understand what they are buying.
Evidence suggests that such labelling not only improves awareness but can also encourage manufacturers to improve the nutritional quality of their products.
Changing behaviour
While improving the food environment is important, individual behaviour also matters.
Research shows that when people receive guidance on healthier eating, including where to find better options and how to prepare meals, they are more likely to reduce their intake of ultra processed foods.
However, behaviour change is not always easy. Access to resources such as kitchens, storage, and affordable ingredients can affect whether people are able to act on this advice.
Healthy food is often more expensive, which creates another barrier.
A combined approach
Experts agree that no single solution will solve the problem. Improving diets requires a combination of better policies, clearer labelling, and practical support for individuals.
When these efforts come together, people are better equipped to recognise unhealthy choices, reduce their intake of ultra processed foods, and improve their overall health.