News
07/25/1992
Food Label of the Future
P92-24 Food and Drug Administration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Brad Stone -- (202) 205-4144
The Food and Drug Administration today offered alternative formats as
potential models for the food label of the future, and asked for public
comments on which approaches will work best for consumers.
The alternative formats for labels to be required on foods are being
published in the July 20 Federal Register. The label format constitutes one
part of the comprehensive changes in food labeling announced by HHS Secretary
Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., in 1990.
"The object is to get the public's help in selecting a label format that
will help consumers the most," Secretary Sullivan said. "We want to convey
the information that consumers want and need, in a format that is accurate
and easy to understand. We also want to show where a food fits into the
individual's total dietary picture -- and we want to make the information as
useful as possible for the different needs of different individuals. That's
a long order for a short label. But we know we can make the label serve our
consumers better, and we want the public's help to make that happen."
In 1990, Secretary Sullivan criticized current labels as a confusing
"Tower of Babel." The current format has been in use since 1973. The
Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, also passed by Congress in 1990, set
broad statutory requirements for food labeling.
"Last November, we issued proposals on information that should be on the
label," said FDA Commissioner David A. Kessler, M.D. "Since then, we've
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talked to consumers and industry and developed several options on how the
label should look. Now, we're asking consumers and industry to help us
decide which option is the best and should be used."
The options presented today are not as dramatically different as some
previously considered. There are no pie charts or other graphs, as once
proposed. According to research study results being published in the Federal
Register, those options fared poorly in tests of effectiveness.
Under the NLEA law, nutrition labeling for the first time will be
mandatory for most foods. The proposed required information will include the
amount per serving of total calories, calories derived from fat, total fat,
saturated fat, cholesterol, total carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates,
sugars, dietary fiber, protein, sodium, vitamins A and C, calcium and iron.
Other nutrients could be listed on an optional basis.
The legislation also requires nutrition information to be conveyed "in a
manner which enables the public to readily observe and comprehend such
information and to understand its relative significance in the context of a
total daily diet."
To fulfill this requirement, FDA conducted a major research effort,
including two focus group studies and two research studies, each of which
will be discussed in the Federal Register.
In order to meet the congressionally mandated deadline for completion of
the rules, FDA can accept comments for only 30 days -- until August 19 -- on
today's proposal. Comments should be sent to: Dockets Management Branch
(HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, Room 1-23, 12420 Parklawn Dr.,
Rockville, Md. 20857.
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To ensure the broadest opportunity for public comment within this tight
time frame, FDA will hold a public meeting in August 1992 to hear additional
views. Details of the meeting will be announced soon. FDA will evaluate
comments it receives and its study results, as well as industry and
university-based tests of alternative formats.
FDA is one of the eight Public Health Service agencies within HHS.
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