One has to wonder why every time food labels are enhanced to include more accurate and complete information about what is in it, the food industry shrieks as though bitten in a tender place by a very angry dog. You might almost think they oppose pretty much any change in labeling regulations because they are hiding something.
The Food Labeling Modernization Act (HR4917) was recently introduced by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. of New Jersey and is presently in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The proposed bill would mandate several changes to required food labels including nutrition summary labels on the front of food packages and warnings of excessive amounts of substances such as added sugar and sodium. If a food package highlights a specific ingredient, say, "whole grains", "fiber" or "real" fruits or vegetables, it would be required to list how much of it the product actually contains. Finally, food manufacturers would be required to list complete nutrition and ingredient information for their products on their web sites.
Food manufacturers are not amused and are fighting hard to spare us the "confusion" that the new labeling requirements would cause.
Meanwhile, Brian Ronholm, Director of Food Policy for Consumer Reports, points out that under present rules "claims about healthy ingredients are sometimes used even if the product has only a very small amount." For example, in a recent Consumer Reports review of 56 breads touting "whole grain" and "multi grain" content nearly all contained little else than refined wheat flour. "The bill would make labels simpler, clearer and more informative," Ronholm says, "and reduce the chance that consumers will perceive food as being more nutritious than it really is." Sounds confusing to me!
This would be an excellent time to let your Representative know that you want his or her support on this bill.
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