Greg Hrinya, Associate Editor12.15.15
A bill introduced in Congress on November 23, 2015, seeks to make major changes to food labels. The goal is to simplify the package’s terminology and “reduce the number of often-confusing buzzwords surrounding a food's health claims,” writes the Chicago Tribune’s Samantha Bomkamp.
The redesign would take place under the Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015, which would require specific definitions of buzzwords like “organic”, “healthy,” and made with “whole grain.” The bill would limit ambiguous phrases that have become popular and force manufacturers to specify what makes an item “healthy.”
The bill was presented by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.)
Other potential changes include serving size requirements, clearer definitions on added sugar, and making critical label components, such as calorie count and serving sizes, easier to identify. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, food labels have remained static since 1990 and, in many cases, have not seen changes in 75 years.
"When 'whole grain' waffles can be made with white flour, and 'all natural' ingredients can contain synthetic high-fructose corn syrup, it's clear our food labels are due for a makeover," Laura MacCleery, the center's director of regulatory affairs, said in a statement posted by the Chicago Tribune. "And putting easy-to-interpret nutrition symbols on the fronts of packages would be a major advance for consumers who want to make healthy choices in an instant."
Converters could see a rising demand for new food labels, prompting more new prepress and platework. As the wine and spirits industry is enjoying dazzling graphics for shelf appeal, food labels could be making the shift to clarity.
The redesign would take place under the Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015, which would require specific definitions of buzzwords like “organic”, “healthy,” and made with “whole grain.” The bill would limit ambiguous phrases that have become popular and force manufacturers to specify what makes an item “healthy.”
The bill was presented by Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.)
Other potential changes include serving size requirements, clearer definitions on added sugar, and making critical label components, such as calorie count and serving sizes, easier to identify. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, food labels have remained static since 1990 and, in many cases, have not seen changes in 75 years.
"When 'whole grain' waffles can be made with white flour, and 'all natural' ingredients can contain synthetic high-fructose corn syrup, it's clear our food labels are due for a makeover," Laura MacCleery, the center's director of regulatory affairs, said in a statement posted by the Chicago Tribune. "And putting easy-to-interpret nutrition symbols on the fronts of packages would be a major advance for consumers who want to make healthy choices in an instant."
Converters could see a rising demand for new food labels, prompting more new prepress and platework. As the wine and spirits industry is enjoying dazzling graphics for shelf appeal, food labels could be making the shift to clarity.