Burkey Belser 鈥69, 鈥楽teve Jobs of Information Design,鈥 Dies at 76
September 26, 2023
Burkey Belser 鈥69 created the black and white label that is ubiquitous in grocery stores across the country.
Burkey Belser 鈥69 was a graphic designer best known as the creator of the nutrition facts label mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which adorns most food sold in the United States. He died on Sept. 25, 2023, in Bethesda, Maryland at the age of 76.
In 2014, called Belser 鈥渢he Steve Jobs of information design鈥 after he created the black and white label that is ubiquitous in grocery stores across the country.
Belser had earned a reputation for his successful鈥揳nd similarly clean鈥揹esign for the black and yellow energy guide labels for appliances.
According to The Washington Post鈥檚 obituary:
In an interview, David A. Kessler, the FDA chief during the label鈥檚 creation, called Mr. Belser 鈥渁n absolute genius.鈥 President Bill Clinton honored him with a Presidential Design Award.
鈥淭he label had enormous public health impact for millions and millions of people who rely on it every day,鈥 Kessler said.
Belser majored in English and minored in studio art at Davidson. His full obituary is available .
