Stop or go? How is the UK food industry responding to front-of-pack nutrition labels?

The adoption of voluntary front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labels by UK food retailers and manufacturers is explored. These labels highlight key nutrients, facilitating product comparisons. Information for 2,201 products launched between 2007 and 2009 was analysed. Binary and multinomial logistic regression models explore drivers of FOP label use. Products introduced more recently by retailers and certain food categories were more likely to carry FOP labels. Increasing the content of sodium and sugar decreased odds of FOP use in some categories, but with limited significance. Discussion includes policy options to optimise firm response and implications for evolving mandatory FOP labelling proposals.