Researchers are calling for stronger measures to reduce sugar consumption after a new paper finds limited evidence that front-of-pack food labels help lower intake among disadvantaged groups.

The study, published in Obesity Reviews, found that while front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) can reduce sugar consumption at a broad population level, there is little evidence these labels are effective in reducing sugar intake among low-income or socioeconomically disadvantaged consumers or in addressing health inequalities. 

Led by researchers at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, the findings highlight the limits of relying on food labelling alone to tackle high sugar-related disease.

ABS data also shows a higher proportion of people living in areas of most disadvantage (27.1 percent) consumed these drinks compared to areas of least disadvantage (20.3 percent). 

How the study worked 

The researchers conducted a systematic review of 10 studies from multiple high-income countries examining the effectiveness of front-of-pack labelling on sugar consumption and purchasing behaviour.

While the study did not review published analyses of front-of-pack labels in Australia, analysing studies from the US, Sweden, Chile and Ecuador, Associate Professor Singh says the findings are still relevant to Australia.  

“While food labelling systems differ across countries, the findings are still highly relevant here, where conditions linked to high sugar intake, such as tooth decay and metabolic disorders, are strongly socially patterned.”

“The main learning here is the equity impact, rather than how food labels work by country. The paper highlights a significant gap in the evidence supporting front-of-pack labels as a strategy for reducing sugar consumption among disadvantaged groups.

“Front-of-pack labelling may be most effective when implemented alongside complementary strategies such as sugar taxation, product reformulation, healthy food subsidies, and targeted nutrition education.”

Research 

Singh A, et al, The Impact of Front-of-Pack Labeling on Social Inequality in Sugar Consumption and Purchase: A Systematic Review, Obesity Reviews (2026) 

DOI: 10.1111/obr.70150

Declaration

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors acknowledge financial support provided by the China Scholarship Council-University of Melbourne PhD Scholarship (Grant No. 20230824005).