Revamping Food Labels

Revamping Food Labels

So what is the story behind the Food and Drug Administration’s proposed changes to food labels? FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg says the proposed changes will “help consumers make better more informed choices about the foods they eat and help support a healthy diet”. For example, calories will be shown in big bold numbers on nutrition labels and a listed portion sizes will reflect realistic amounts eaten by the vast majority of people - a whole cup of ice cream as opposed to the currently listed 1/2 cup. Perhaps we should be eating only a 1/2 a cup of ice cream, but seriously who eats just a 1/2 cup of ice cream? The FDA also proposes to require information on the amount of added sugars in food products. And while the proposed food labels will continue to require the types of fats and total fat amounts, the “calories from fat” listing would be removed. There has been a divided response to the proposed food label changes from legislators as well as the average consumer. Some feel it is an unnecessary and financially burdensome change, while others say the proposed changes to food labels is long overdue. What do you think? The FDA is accepting public comment on the proposed changes for 90 days.  
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