HEALTH

FDA Seeks Public Comment on Changes to Nutritional Food Labels

by Dan Perkins

Source: FDA Release dated April 1, 2005

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked the public to comment on two proposals designed to improve the appearance and content of nutrition labels.  The proposals call for nutrition labels to provide practical information regarding serving size and greater prominence in the labeling of calories contained in foods.  The changes aim to help consumers make better decisions regarding product consumption and weight management.

The proposals come in response to recommendations contained in a report entitled Calories Count, issued by the FDA's Obesity Working Group (OWG).  The recommendations acknowledge the scientific fact that weight control is mainly a function of caloric balance.  "Today's action demonstrates our commitment to make the food label more meaningful and helpful to consumers," said Dr. Robert Brackett, Director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in an April 1, 2005 FDA Release. "We are interested in exploring how modifying the food labeling regulations might give consumers better information they can use to control and manage their weight."

The FDA wants the public to comment on several aspects of nutritional labeling including the appearance of existing calorie information on packaged food; how consumers use such information to make dietary choices; and how food processors and manufacturers might reformulate foods or redesign packaging if changes are made to the food label.

A second area of concern involves the serving size of food products.  The FDA is trying to determine whether food labels should indicate reasonable serving sizes for any one occasion. The agency is looking for the public to suggest ways to update the amounts of food customarily consumed and ways to encourage consumers to eat smaller portions. 

The FDA will accept public comments for 75 days, beginning April 1, 2005.  Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments by email or in writing.  Comments must reference one or both docket numbers:

Comments may be sent by emails to fdadockets@oc.fda.gov or write to the Division of Dockets Management, 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

The End