Succinct, easy-to-read nutritional information for packaged foods is coming to a store near you. Nearly a decade in the works, guidelines for information on the front label of food packages is expected from the Food & Drug Administration sometime next year. Pressure has been building to provide consumers with more nutritional information on labels. The hope is that it will help them to make healthier food choices and combat the growing problems of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
The Institute of Medicine recently released a report on front-of-package labeling to advise the FDA. The report focused on four areas which are associated with diet-related health problems: calories, saturated fat, trans fat and sodium. According to the IOM, it’s not crucial to include fiber, added sugars or vitamins because information about those nutrients can be found on the back of the label. A second IOM report coming out soon will focus on how to make the nutritional info most useful to consumers.
The food industry will launch its own effort to try and preempt the FDA guidelines. The Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Food Marketing Institute are finalizing the details of the initiative and expect to have them in place by early next year. It’s not clear which nutrients will be on the front label or whether they will tout vitamins and fiber as they have in the past. Industry spokesmen did say that the new labels will be informational only and will not characterize foods as either good or bad. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, warned the industry that the new label must not only market healthy food but also warn consumers of unhealthy choices, too.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Consumer groups are hoping for a “traffic signal” system. Great Britain has a system using green, yellow and red dots to rank fats, sugar and salt as low, medium or high. The Swedish government has a system featuring a green symbol to identify the healthiest choices within a food category. “A prominent and reliable symbol on the fronts of packages would be a tremendous help to those harried shoppers racing through the supermarket,” says Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
The new labeling is certain to help some consumers and annoy others who think the government is already going too far in trying to tell people what they should eat. Use the comment section below to tell us what you think.
-
A New TSA Fee Is Coming for Travelers With No REAL IDDon't have a REAL ID yet? You might get hit with a fee to go through security at the airport.
-
Dow Soars 493 Points in Fed-Fueled Bounce: Stock Market TodayNew York Fed President John Williams struck a dovish tone Friday, which eased Wall Street's worries over a potential December pause.
-
Kiplinger's 2020 Election ForecastPolitics For nearly a century, The Kiplinger Letter has forecasted the outcome of presidential elections to keep readers informed of what's coming and what it means for them. Here's our call for 2020.
-
How the GOP Tax Bill May Affect BusinessesBusiness Costs & Regulation Corporations would enjoy a lower flat tax rate while individual owners of pass-throughs would also see a lower rate, but with more complex terms.
-
The Long Slog in Congress After Comey
Politics Trump's firing of the FBI director ruffled congressional feathers, but not enough to spur an independent investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.
-
Trump’s Tax Reform Plan Faces Tough ChallengesPolitics A one-page outline isn't enough to satisfy a Congress interested in the details — and protecting constituents.
-
Trump's Agenda and ChallengesPolitics What lies ahead for the President-Elect.
-
Clinton on Track to Win 2016 Presidential Election
Politics Trump can win the White House, but faces an uphill climb.
-
New Overtime Rules Will Hit Businesses This YearBusiness Costs & Regulation A change in salary threshold will make more workers eligible for extra pay.
-
Bumpy Road Ahead in 2016 Presidential Race
Politics Trump will get a bounce after the Republican convention, but Clinton is poised to regain ground.
