FDA calls for industry comments on front-of-pack nutrition labeling

28-Apr-2010 - Last updated on 10-May-2010 at 08:22 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has called for comments from industry on its review of voluntary front-of-pack and other point of purchase labeling approaches.

The FDA’s announcement in October that it would revise front-of-pack labeling coincided with public furor over the use of the Smart Choices labeling program, which was widely criticized after it gave its green check mark to sugary cereals. The agency said at that time that it would investigate on-pack and on-shelf nutrition labeling with a view to developing a standardized set of criteria to curtail consumer confusion over label claims. It has also said it is researching ways in which the Nutrition Facts panel could be revised to make it more helpful to consumers.

“The front-of-pack nutrition labeling effort aims to maximize the number of consumers who readily notice, understand, and use point-of-purchase information to make nutritious choices for themselves and their families,” the FDA said.

In addition to assessing the effectiveness of different approaches to point of purchase nutrition information, the agency said it wants to assess how front-of-pack nutrition information could affect industry decisions about reformulating healthier products.

It said: “It is also possible that information disclosed in front-of-pack labeling may foster industry reformulation of products because some consumers may notice the information and make their product selection accordingly.”

Opposition to on-pack claims

In February, two nutrition experts, Marion Nestle and David Ludwig, wrote in a commentary in the Journal of the American Medical Association that the FDA should consider an outright ban on front-of-pack health claims, saying that “such standards are inevitably arbitrary and subject to manipulation.”

One of their concerns is based on FDA research suggesting that people are more likely to ignore the Nutrition Facts panel when front-of-pack labeling is present.

The FDA said it is accepting comments on its revision of front-of-pack and point of purchase nutrition information until July 28, 2010.

Further information, including how to submit comments, can be accessed here.