12.01.09
FDA intends to address potentially false and misleading nutrition labeling by developing standardized, science-based criteria for the food industry. It is essential that both the criteria and symbols used in front-of-package (FOP) and shelf-labeling systems be nutritionally sound and well-designed to help consumers make informed and healthy food choices, according to the agency. FDA is currently analyzing FOP labels that appear to be misleading and is looking for symbols that either express or imply nutrient content claims.
“We are assessing the criteria established by food manufacturers for such symbols and comparing them to our regulatory criteria,” said Barbara Schneeman, PhD, director, Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplements within FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN), in a “Guidance for Industry” letter posted on FDA’s website in October. The agency said it intends to work with food retailers and manufacturers, nutrition and design experts, as well as the Institute of Medicine to develop an optimal, common approach to nutrition-related FOP and shelf labeling that all Americans can trust.
Following this announcement, the Smart Choices Program, a labeling system utilized by several leading food manufacturers, postponed its active operations. “We welcome the FDA’s interest in developing uniform front-of-package and shelf-labeling criteria,” said Mike Hughes, chair, Smart Choices Program and vice president for science and public policy at the Keystone Center. “The Smart Choices Program shares that exact goal, and was designed to provide a voluntary front-of-package labeling program that could promote informed food choices and help consumers construct healthier diets. We continue to believe the Smart Choices Program is an important step in the right direction.” The Smart Choices Program will also continue to work with those who have an interest in front-of-package labeling, such as Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who has asked for information about the development of the program, which the group is providing.
The Smart Choices Program was developed, in part, to respond to earlier governmental calls for a more uniform, voluntary, front-of-package labeling program. According to Mr. Hughes, the Smart Choices Program was developed during an open and lengthy collaborative process by a diverse coalition of scientists, nutritionists, public health and public interest organizations and food industry leaders. The program’s nutritional criteria are based on the U.S. government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the labels comply with all U.S. laws and regulations. “Our nutrition criteria are based on sound, consensus science,” said Mr. Hughes. “But with the FDA’s announcement that they will be addressing both on front-of-package and on-shelf systems, and that uniform criteria may follow, it is more appropriate to postpone active operations and channel our information and learnings to the agency to support their initiative.”
“We are assessing the criteria established by food manufacturers for such symbols and comparing them to our regulatory criteria,” said Barbara Schneeman, PhD, director, Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplements within FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN), in a “Guidance for Industry” letter posted on FDA’s website in October. The agency said it intends to work with food retailers and manufacturers, nutrition and design experts, as well as the Institute of Medicine to develop an optimal, common approach to nutrition-related FOP and shelf labeling that all Americans can trust.
Following this announcement, the Smart Choices Program, a labeling system utilized by several leading food manufacturers, postponed its active operations. “We welcome the FDA’s interest in developing uniform front-of-package and shelf-labeling criteria,” said Mike Hughes, chair, Smart Choices Program and vice president for science and public policy at the Keystone Center. “The Smart Choices Program shares that exact goal, and was designed to provide a voluntary front-of-package labeling program that could promote informed food choices and help consumers construct healthier diets. We continue to believe the Smart Choices Program is an important step in the right direction.” The Smart Choices Program will also continue to work with those who have an interest in front-of-package labeling, such as Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who has asked for information about the development of the program, which the group is providing.
The Smart Choices Program was developed, in part, to respond to earlier governmental calls for a more uniform, voluntary, front-of-package labeling program. According to Mr. Hughes, the Smart Choices Program was developed during an open and lengthy collaborative process by a diverse coalition of scientists, nutritionists, public health and public interest organizations and food industry leaders. The program’s nutritional criteria are based on the U.S. government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the labels comply with all U.S. laws and regulations. “Our nutrition criteria are based on sound, consensus science,” said Mr. Hughes. “But with the FDA’s announcement that they will be addressing both on front-of-package and on-shelf systems, and that uniform criteria may follow, it is more appropriate to postpone active operations and channel our information and learnings to the agency to support their initiative.”