WASHINGTON — Today, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) unveiled a proposal that could change how we view nutrition labels on our food. They want food companies to put key nutritional information on the front of packaging instead of hiding it on the back.
Dr. Cecil Bennett, a primary care physician in Georgia, has noticed a troubling trend over his 20 years in practice. More patients are facing health issues like high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes. “A lot of the reasons why we’re at increased risks of these diseases have to do with the foods that we consume,” he explains.
To help Americans make better choices, the FDA plans to highlight three main nutrition areas: sodium, sugar, and saturated fat. The new labels will show percentages for these components and categorize them as high, medium, or low.
For example, foods with over 20% of the daily value for sodium will be labeled as high, while those with 6-19% will be medium, and anything 5% or less will be considered low, according to Diego Rose, who directs the nutrition program at Tulane University.
This labeling change won’t wipe out the existing information on the back; instead, it aims to make it easier for folks to quickly understand what’s in their food. “Consumers can easily compare products and choose the healthier option,” Rose says.
The proposal now awaits approval from the Trump administration. If approved, big food companies earning over $10 million a year will have three years to adapt. Smaller businesses will have a bit more time, with an additional year to comply.
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FDA,Nutrition,Food packaging,Labels,Cholesterol,Obesity,Diabetes,Consumers
