The FDA is proposing changes to how packaged foods are labeled.
The agency suggests requiring a front-of-package nutrition label in order to provide “at a glance” information. The nutrition information box would include the amounts of saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.
If finalized the proposed rule would go into effect in three years. Public comments are open through May 16th.
The USDA and FDA are both considering a revamp for food date labeling rules and the agencies want to hear from consumers. Public comment is now open via the Federal Register through February 1st.
According to USDA Senior Advisor Greg Jaffe, “Both agencies currently recommend that the food industry members voluntarily apply a term called ‘best if used by’ as a quality-based date food label, which notes the date after which the quality may decline but the food may still be consumed. That’s what we have recommended, so the question is, ‘Do we need to do something more or different, based on the information we get?’”
Jaffe says that responses will give the two agencies insight on how consumers perceive such labels and what impact they have.
