A new survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) suggests nutrition labels remain an influential part of the grocery shopping experience, with most consumers reporting they regularly consult packaging information when making purchase decisions.
According to IFIC’s June 2026 Spotlight Survey, 79% of Americans say they check nutrition or ingredient information on food packaging at least sometimes while shopping. Nearly half (47%) report doing so always or often.
The research also found that consumers are increasingly confident in their ability to interpret nutrition information; 86% of respondents said they feel at least somewhat confident understanding the information presented on food labels.
When asked what information they look for most frequently, calories topped the list at 45%, followed by total sugars (44%), protein (42%), sodium (41%), and added sugars (39%). The findings suggest consumers are seeking a mix of information about both nutrients they want to limit and nutrients they want to increase.
Front-of-package labeling also appears to play an important role in purchasing decisions. According to the survey, 80% of consumers say nutrition information displayed on the front of packages influences their purchasing decisions at least sometimes.
The survey findings come as regulators and lawmakers are increasingly focused on what consumers see before they ever turn a package around. Earlier this year, the FDA proposed a standardized front-of-package “Nutrition Info” label that would prominently display key information about saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars on many packaged foods, reflecting a broader push toward simplified nutritional guidance.
Against that backdrop, the IFIC survey found consumers generally support approaches that provide nutritional guidance while still preserving access to detailed information on the traditional Nutrition Facts panel.
For retailers and manufacturers, the results reinforce the importance of packaging as a communication tool. While branding and price remain critical purchase drivers, the survey suggests many consumers are actively comparing products based on nutritional attributes, ingredients, and health-related claims.
Protein’s continued prominence among the most-searched nutritional attributes is particularly noteworthy, reflecting a broader consumer trend that has fueled growth across categories ranging from yogurt and snacks to prepared foods and meat products.
The IFIC Spotlight Survey was conducted in June 2026 and examined consumer attitudes toward nutrition labels, front-of-package information, and food purchasing behavior among U.S. adults.
