TRUTH in Labeling Act would heighten the warning for shoppers looking to cut sugar, salt, and saturated fat intake

Rising Rates of Obesity and the Need for Healthier Food Choices

With rising rates of obesity in the U.S. and increasing attention being paid to the health harms of processed foods, it’s clear that far more could be done to help consumers make healthy food choices. A bill known as the TRUTH in Labeling Act has been sitting before Congress since late 2023. If passed, it would require U.S. food manufacturers to add a second nutrition label to the front of product packages, in addition to the ones currently found on the back or side panel. It would also require the label to highlight any potentially unhealthy ingredients in the product, such as the amount of sugar, sodium, and saturated fat it contains.

The Proposed Legislation

The proposed legislation would provide consumers with a standardized, easy-to-read, and quick way to decide whether a product is a healthy choice. Should the bill, which is still in committee, become law, the front-of-package label would be regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Why the Change?

The newly proposed legislation is the latest effort by lawmakers to educate the public about smart food choices. Congress began requiring standardized nutrition labels on food packages through the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990.

- Advertisement -

Consequences of Inaction

But in the 34 years since that first label appeared, the obesity rate has more than tripled; 40% of Americans are now obese. Another 31% are overweight, and diet-related chronic illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes, are rampant. About 60% of U.S. adults – 130 million people – have at least one of these chronic illnesses.

Labels Help Shoppers Make Better Choices

There’s another reason to require a second, easy-to-notice, easy-to-comprehend label. Only about 40% of Americans frequently read the existing nutrition facts label; some shoppers say they don’t understand it. A simpler label with a more direct message might help those consumers. In fact, some studies suggest front-of-package labels do assist shoppers in making smart choices.

Research on Front-of-Package Labels

Research shows that those who frequently read the current label tend to have healthier diets than those who don’t. For example, frequent readers are almost four times more likely than rare readers to meet the recommended daily fiber intake.

Existing Nutrition Facts Label

This is what the current nutrition facts label looks like. Note the serving size for this particular product is two-thirds of a cup. So if you have a 1-cup serving, you need to add 50% more to all the values listed below the serving size, including calories, fat, and saturated fat.

Exemptions from Front-of-Package Labeling

It’s possible you’ve already seen some front-of-package nutritional labels on food products. But these labels are not regulated by the government. Known as the "facts-up-front" labeling system, it’s strictly voluntary and a choice of the individual food manufacturer, with label designs and formats provided by the Consumer Brands Association, a trade association representing the food industry. Only a small number of manufacturers have chosen to put these labels on their products.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the TRUTH in Labeling Act would heighten the warning for shoppers looking to cut sugar, salt, and saturated fat intake. The proposed legislation aims to provide consumers with a standardized, easy-to-read, and quick way to decide whether a product is a healthy choice.

FAQs

Q: What is the TRUTH in Labeling Act?
A: The TRUTH in Labeling Act is a proposed bill that would require U.S. food manufacturers to add a second nutrition label to the front of product packages, in addition to the ones currently found on the back or side panel.

Q: Why is the TRUTH in Labeling Act necessary?
A: The TRUTH in Labeling Act is necessary because rising rates of obesity in the U.S. and increasing attention being paid to the health harms of processed foods indicate a need for healthier food choices.

Q: How would the TRUTH in Labeling Act benefit consumers?
A: The TRUTH in Labeling Act would benefit consumers by providing them with a standardized, easy-to-read, and quick way to decide whether a product is a healthy choice.

Q: What is the proposed format of the front-of-package label?
A: The proposed format of the front-of-package label would highlight any potentially unhealthy ingredients in the product, such as the amount of sugar, sodium, and saturated fat it contains.

Q: Are all foods required to have front-of-package labels under the TRUTH in Labeling Act?
A: No, some foods, including fish, coffee, tea, and spices, could remain exempt from the nutritional label requirement under the TRUTH in Labeling Act. However, if any product makes a nutritional or health claim on its package, then a nutrition facts label must be on it.