By KARISSA WINKEL
Cottonwood Extension District
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could soon assist American consumers in reaching better health.
A recent proposal from the FDA for front-of-package nutrition labeling for food products in the U.S. may make Americans more aware of the foods they consume.
The additional label will only give information for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. It will also classify foods as low, medium, or high in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar to the particular food product.
The full Nutrition Facts label will still be on food packages, Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee shares.
“The goal is to give consumers more information to make informed decisions when purchasing packaged foods,” she said. “For those with certain health conditions, this can make it easier to shop for foods that are good choices for them.”
The Nutrition Facts label, typically located on the back or right side of food can be challenging to understand. However, a simple label on the front of the package will remove confusion regarding the nutritional value of any particular food product.
“It can increase nutrition transparency in an easy-to-read format,” Blakeslee said.
Front-of-package nutrition labeling is already used in many countries, including Canada and Mexico. Currently, in the U.S., food manufacturers can voluntarily add front-of-package labels, called Facts Up Front.
Current federal dietary recommendations advise U.S. consumers to limit their intake of saturated fat, sodium and added sugar to achieve a nutrient-dense diet within calorie limits.
However, only one-third of adults in the U.S. meet the saturated fat dietary guidelines, while over 75% consume more than the recommended sodium intake, and less than half meet the guidelines for added sugar intake.
The FDA’s proposal is only currently in the comment phase.
However, I encourage you to read nutrition labels on the food products you use regularly. Keeping an eye out for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar is a simple way to better understand what you consume. With this knowledge, you can make informed decisions for your personal wellness goals.
Karissa Winkel is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension, Cottonwood District. You may reach her at 620-793-1910 or [email protected].