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Call for papers - Beyond the label: The impact of labeling on consumer behavior and health

Guest Editor

Zoé Colombet, PhD, University of Liverpool, UK
Damian Maganja, Master of International Public Health, PhD, The George Institute for Global Health, Australia

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 1 December 2025

BMC Nutrition is calling for submissions to our Collection on nutrition labeling, its legislation, and its impact on public health outcomes. Nutrition labeling plays a crucial role in informing consumers about the nutritional content of food products, thereby aiding them in making healthier dietary choices. The landscape of nutrition labeling is continuously evolving, with growing attention on front-of-package labels (FOPLs), menu labeling, and the responsibilities of the food industry in compliance with established regulations. This Collection invites researchers to contribute studies focused on nutrition labeling, its legislation, and its impact on public health outcomes. 

New Content ItemThis collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being

Meet the Guest Editors

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Zoé Colombet, PhD, University of Liverpool, UK

Dr Colombet is a Lecturer in Epidemiology and Public Health in the Department of Public Health, Policy & Systems of the University of Liverpool. Her work focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of public health policies and their impact on health, food consumption, and inequalities at the population level, in various countries around the world, in order to guide more equitable and effective food policies to improve the diet and the health of the populations.

Damian Maganja, Master of International Public Health, PhD, The George Institute for Global Health, Australia

Dr Maganja is a Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health Australia, and co-convenor of the Public Health Association of Australia Food & Nutrition Special Interest Group. His work focuses on policies and processes to improve the healthiness of food environments, with a particular emphasis on better regulation and governance of harmful products and industries. Dr Maganja joined the academic sector after working in health policy and programs with various government and non-government organizations.

About the collection

BMC Nutrition is calling for submissions to our Collection on nutrition labeling, its legislation, and its impact on public health outcomes. Nutrition labeling plays a crucial role in informing consumers about the nutritional content of food products, thereby aiding them in making healthier dietary choices. With the implementation of various regulations, including the Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, there has been a concerted effort to standardize food product labels and enhance consumer awareness regarding ingredients, allergens, and nutritional values. The landscape of nutrition labeling is continuously evolving, with growing attention on front-of-package labels (FOPLs), menu labeling, and the responsibilities of the food industry in compliance with established regulations.

Investigating the impact of nutrition labeling on public health outcomes is essential, as studies have shown that clearer and more informative labels can influence purchasing behavior and contribute to improved dietary habits. Recent advancements in nutrition labeling have demonstrated the potential to reduce the prevalence of diet-related diseases, promote healthier food choices, and empower consumers to make informed decisions. As a result, understanding the efficacy of various labeling strategies is vital for shaping future policies and public health initiatives.

Continued research in this field may lead to further innovations in nutrition labeling that enhance consumer understanding and engagement. As technology advances, we might see the incorporation of digital labels, personalized nutrition information, and real-time data that could transform how consumers interact with food products. These developments have the potential to not only improve individual health outcomes but also contribute to broader public health goals by fostering a culture of informed eating. This Collection invites researchers to contribute studies focused on nutrition labeling, its legislation, and its impact on public health outcomes. 

We welcome submissions that explore various aspects of food product labels, consumer awareness, and the effectiveness of different labeling strategies in promoting healthier dietary choices.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

-Impact of mandatory nutrition labeling on consumer behavior and purchases

-Health outcomes associated with improved nutrition labeling

-FOPLs and their effectiveness

-Awareness and understanding of nutrition labeling among different age groups

-Labeling restaurant menus, warning label policies (sugar and sodium warning labels), calorie labeling on fast foods

-Front-of-package labeling in beverages and snacks

-Dietary and health impact of FOPLs 

-Food industry compliance with nutrition labeling regulations

-Allergen labeling and consumer safety

-Nutrition labeling policies 

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being.

Image credit: Â© Robert Kneschke / Fotolia

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Beyond the label: The impact of labeling on consumer behavior and health" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Guest Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Guest Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.