Imagine this: you’re doing your grocery shopping online and thinking about adding a snack to your cart, but you’re unsure about its nutritional value. You search the page, but you can’t find any details about its nutrition. You have no clue about the calorie count, let alone the ingredients it contains.
If you’ve been in this situation, you’re definitely not alone. A recent study found that a whopping 65% of grocery items sold online lack clear and visible nutritional information.
The research, led by Sean B. Cash, PhD, from Tufts University’s School of Nutrition Science and Policy, builds on findings from 2021. Back then, the surge in online shopping due to the pandemic also highlighted the scarcity of online nutritional details. The researchers were hoping visibility would improve by the first half of 2022, but that hasn’t been the case. Cash mentioned it’s not really getting worse, but not better either.
Here’s what they found and why it matters. The research team examined 60 popular foods from eight main categories, like bakery, beverages, dairy, and more. They collected data from 10 major online retailers covering at least 79% of the U.S. online grocery market, focusing on four key nutritional components: nutrition facts, ingredient lists, allergen info, and juice percentage for fruit drinks.
On average, these four bits of information were only available 35% of the time across the retailers. Some categories, like meat and eggs, were even worse with only 24% availability for nutrition facts. Bakery items, sweets, and snacks often lacked ingredient and allergen details, at around 30% availability.
Interestingly, most retailers prominently displayed marketing claims, like “gluten-free” or “organic,” which showed up on 84% of items. The FDA requires certain nutrition info on food packaging, but it doesn’t specifically enforce these rules for online sales. This gives retailers a lot of leeway in how—or if—they present this info online.
However, change may be on the horizon. In 2023, the FDA requested more information on how online food labels are handled. This pushed Cash’s team to submit their study to the FDA.
Although online grocery shopping has slowed down since the peak of the pandemic, it remains popular. A 2024 USDA report shows that about 20% of grocery shoppers have bought food online at least once in the past month.
Having access to nutrition information online could significantly impact health. Studies show that informed buying decisions can lead to lower consumption of sugary drinks and higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Knowing what’s in your food is crucial, especially if you have health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. Reading labels helps you spot hidden sugars or sodium that might be harmful. Without that information, there’s a risk of consuming allergens accidentally, which could be dangerous.
There’s also the problem of food waste and financial losses. People might buy a product online and only realize it’s unsuitable after receiving it, which can be frustrating.
If your preferred online grocer doesn’t provide nutritional information, you don’t have to go to a physical store. Try checking the food manufacturer’s website instead, as they are required to list ingredients, nutrition facts, and allergens.
You can also make a difference by providing feedback to your online retailer, highlighting the lack of nutritional information.
If you’re uncertain about a food’s ingredients, exercise caution, especially if you have dietary restrictions. Don’t assume it’s safe if the labeling is incomplete. Alternatively, stick to brands and products whose nutritional information you already know.
For making healthy choices, the same rules apply whether you shop online or in-store. Opt for minimally processed foods like lean meats, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables. These are often the healthier options, even without detailed labels.
