Walking into a grocery store can feel overwhelming – especially for those trying to buy healthier food. There are so many choices, eye-catching marketing and health claims, and confusing ingredients, making it hard to know what’s healthy and what isn’t. Grocery store aisles can actually be a place to fight preventable diet-related disease and illness—as long as nutrition information is readily available and easy to understand.
Other countries successfully use simple and clear nutrition labels on the front of food packaging to draw attention to foods that are high in sugar, saturated fat or salt – three nutrients most people eat too much of. These labels are helping consumers make healthier choices.
After years of consumer engagement and research, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed easy-to-read labels on the front of most packaged foods here in the United States. The proposed label would appear on foods intended for people aged 4 years and older and focus on three nutrients to limit: saturated fat, sodium (salt) and added sugars. Each would be rated as high, medium or low, and include the percentage of the recommended daily amount. The label would be placed on the front of the package in bold, easy-to-see text so shoppers could quickly understand what is in their food and compare products.
Even though similar labels have worked well in other countries, some food companies oppose implementing them here in the United States. While these labels certainly could impact the sales of less healthy foods, advocates say that these companies should recognize that their customers want to make healthier choices and purchase healthier products. Clearer labels will help them do just that.
“Eating healthy should be less complicated and consumers should be able to walk down grocery store aisles and be able to easily compare how nutritious different foods are,” says Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “This will give everyone more control over their food choices and health.”
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Right now, the FDA is asking people to share their thoughts on this new proposed label. Between now and May 16, you can visit yourethecure.org/label for more information from the American Heart Association and to provide feedback to the FDA.
