FDA to Monitor Nutrition Information on Packaged Food Labels

U.S. officials are scrutinizing nutritional claims found on the front of consumer food packaging in an effort to crack down on the use of misleading information. What you see is not always what you get when it comes to "catch phrase" labeling and the actual nutritional value of many food products.

According to Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), concerns that food labels may mislead consumers about the nutritional value of their products have caught the attention of the agency. She stated, “We are looking very seriously at this issue.” As an example of misleading label information, Hamburg pointed out that although a package label may accurately claim that the product inside contains no trans fat, it can fail to inform consumers that the product contains a high percentage of saturated fat. In addition, both types of fat can elevate bad cholesterol. She also mentioned that one popular Smart Choices-approved cereal actually contains more than 40 percent sugar.

In defense of Smart Choices, a voluntary nutrition-labeling program, chairman Mike Hughes committed to work with the FDA regarding labeling issues but said, “The Smart Choices Program was developed during an open and lengthy collaborative process that included some of the most experienced and accomplished professionals in nutrition science.” He then added, “And, we note that the Smart Choices Program complies with all U.S. laws and regulations.”

The impact of processed food on consumers has been a concern for some time, but until now, the FDA labeling rules have remained focused on the inclusion of the Nutrition Facts Panel that is located on the back side of food products. This panel lists the number of calories and amount of nutrients contained within each serving. Many processed foods contains high amounts of sugar, salt, sodium and other ingredients that contribute to obesity, which in turn may lead to the onset of diabetes and other chronic diseases.

Although consumers have become accustomed to the Nutrition Facts Panels and have found them helpful and informative, the catchy advertising on the front of packaging that touts of healthy food being contained within has lulled many consumers into being less likely to check the back panel, according to Hamburg. Therefore, the FDA will not only begin examining these labels, but will also penalize companies having “explicit or implied nutrient content claims” that are inconsistent with federal labeling rules. As federal law prohibits the use of false or misleading claims on food labels, the FDA has the authority to take action against companies that do not adhere to federal labeling rules. Disciplinary action against a company can range from a warning letter, to imposed fines, or even product seizures.

The food industry group in Washington known as The Grocery Manufacturers Association has agreed to work with the FDA in determining what nutrition information would be useful for consumers. In addition, Hamburg sent a written request to the food industry, for the development of labeling standards for the front of packaging. In her letter, she mentioned the easy to understand voluntary labeling system in place in Britain, which uses a traffic-light symbol to indicate high, medium or low levels of salt, saturated fat, sugar and other selected ingredients in their products based on government set rules.

The FDA is currently working on the development of a proposal that would define required criteria to be met by manufacturers and retailers prior to making claims on their food labels.