The European Union has taken another step towards an internationally standardized system of food labeling, prompted by concern over obesity. The guidelines are voluntary right now, and companies including Coca-Cola and Nestle, as well as 86 other groups and companies, have agreed to comply with the regulations. New packaging will have "calorie information clearly on the front of packaging, with a more detailed list of nutrients, including energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat and salt, on the back. "
The companies that have chosen not to comply are likely those who do not wish to incur the expense of new packaging or are worried about a loss of sales. Even though, in one instance, sales shifted during a labeling change, consumers generally are unaffected by the nutritional information when they want to purchase a product.











