How Front-of-Package Claims Mislead Shoppers, and What to Read Instead

A new PRiMER study that analyzed nearly 600 packaged foods found that front-of-package (FOP) health claims like "high in fiber" or "heart healthy" often fail to match the product's nutritional quality

Ultraprocessed foods were the biggest offenders, displaying the most "health" labels while remaining high in sugar, sodium, and refined fats

Marketing phrases such as "keto," "gluten-free," or "organic" can make a product sound healthy when it isn't

When checking a Nutrition Facts label, begin with the serving size and calories, then look at the % Daily Value for key nutrients

Learning to read nutrition labels helps you make confident daily food choices that support heart health, steady energy, and long-term wellness