FDA Seeks Consumers’ Advice
The Food and Drug Administration is considering rules that would require
food companies to display nutritional information on the front of packages, and the agency is seeking your help.
This week the FDA asked for comments and information from the public about what is effective with front-of-package labeling and shelf tags on food products now in stores.
The FDA wants to develop a front-of-pack nutrition label that consumers will notice and that is driven by sound nutrition criteria, consumer research and eye-catching design, said FDA spokeswoman Siobhan DeLancey. The labels will enhance nutritional awareness but will not replace the nutritional facts panel already on products.
There is not a standardized system for front-labeling at this time, said Kim Stitzel, the director of nutrition and obesity at the American Heart Association. The AHA supports an FDA-regulated unified system to help clear up confusion about the meaning of the various icons and labels now used by food companies.
Approximately 25 different front-of-package labeling techniques exist today, according to Stitzel, ranging from ratings and heart stamps (including the AHA’s heart-check stamp) to whole-grain stamps and traffic-light symbols. Sometimes the information can be deceiving, she said.
Read the full article at the WSJ
