Dichiarazione nutrizionale ed etichettatura tra nudging e scelte (in)consapevoli

Nutrition declaration and front-of-pack labeling are recognized as essential legal tools in public health strategies to combat non-communicable diseases and promote healthier lifestyles. However, the diverse criteria underlying these evidence-based rules seem to imply a top-down vision – though soft paternalistic – where pre-defined and often opaque values shape individual and collective food choices. This analysis delves into the main epistemological, ethical, and legal issues arising from the integration of technical concepts with concerns about health and the protection of producers and citizens in the marketplace. The scientific basis of front-of-pack labelling, the underlying psychological mechanisms, and the associated legal implications warrant careful scrutiny to ensure that food information is appropriately framed within EU nutrition policy, and that individual agency is empowered through behaviorally informed interventions.