Front-of-pack poll results: No clear winner (except cynicism…)

As you can see from the pie chart below, the industry-backed scheme Facts up Front gained the most votes, but was followed very closely by the Institute of Medicine’s points-based scheme.

Meanwhile, a significant minority of respondents backed alternative points-based schemes based on nutrient density schemes such as the Guiding Stars system or UK-style colored traffic-light labels.

But the largest share of the vote was garnered by the cynics amongst you, who suspect we are kidding ourselves if we believe that any front-of-pack labeling system will drive the kind of wholesale changes in behavior needed to tackle obesity.

Readers were given five options to select from in response to the question: Which front-of-pack scheme will help consumers make informed choices?

• Facts up Front.​ Consumers don’t want to be told what to eat.
• The IOM scheme.​ Busy shoppers need more guidance.
• Other points-based schemes​ that include positive nutrients. eg. Guiding Stars.
• Traffic-light-​type color-coding schemes.
• We’re kidding ourselves​ if we think front-of-pack labels will change behavior.

Here’s what you thought:

Click here​ for an analysis of the pros and cons of the new IOM scheme.