Nov. 24--A bill introduced in Congress on Monday aims to simplify food labeling and reduce the number of often-confusing buzzwords surrounding a food's health claims.
The Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015 would redesign food labels and require specific definitions for phrases like "healthy" and "made with whole grain." Label redesigns called for in the bill include updating serving size requirements, making calorie and serving size information more prominent and requiring more information about added sugar. The bill would also create a standard for front-of-package labels.
Food labeling rules have not been updated since 1990 and in some cases have not been changed since 1938, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
"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. "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."
The bill was introduced 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.)
sbomkamp@tribpub.com
