Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
In a bold move to combat the chronic disease crisis in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new change to food packaging. The agency wants to require most packaged foods to display a front-of-package (FOP) nutrition label, giving consumers quick and easy access to crucial nutritional information.
This new “Nutrition Info box” would provide at-a-glance details about a product’s saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars content. These three nutrients have been directly linked to chronic diseases when consumed in excess. The proposed label would use a simple “Low,” “Med,” or “High” rating system, allowing shoppers to make informed decisions in seconds.
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The U.S. is grappling with a severe health crisis. A staggering 60% of Americans are living with at least one chronic disease, such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. These conditions not only lead in causing disability and death but also drive up the nation’s annual healthcare costs to a whopping $4.5 trillion.
Research has consistently shown that a major contributor to this health crisis is the overconsumption of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. With the proliferation of ultra-processed foods in the market, many of which are laden with these nutrients, it’s become increasingly challenging for consumers to make healthy choices.
The FDA didn’t make this proposal on a whim. It’s backed by substantial research, including a scientific literature review, consumer focus groups, and a peer-reviewed experimental study. In 2023, the agency conducted a large-scale experiment involving nearly 10,000 U.S. adults to determine the most effective FOP label design.
The study compared three different types of FOP labels, aiming to identify which one helped participants make quicker and more accurate assessments of a product’s healthfulness. The winner? A black and white Nutrition Info scheme that includes the percent Daily Value. This design proved most effective in guiding consumers towards healthier food options.
While the primary goal of the Nutrition Info box is to inform consumers, the FDA hopes it will have a ripple effect on the food industry. Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, Jim Jones, expressed optimism that manufacturers might reformulate their products to achieve healthier ratings on the new labels.
This proposal is part of a larger government-wide strategy to improve nutrition and reduce chronic diseases in the U.S. It aligns with the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, which aims to reduce diet-related diseases by 2030. Other initiatives in this comprehensive approach include updating the “healthy” claim definition, developing a “healthy” symbol, and setting voluntary sodium reduction targets.
If the proposed rule is finalized, food manufacturers will have a grace period to comply. Large businesses with annual food sales of $10 million or more will have three years from the final rule’s effective date to add the Nutrition Info box to their products. Smaller businesses with less than $10 million in annual food sales will have four years.
The FDA is currently seeking public input on this proposal. Interested parties can submit their comments electronically until May 16, 2025.
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
