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Front-of-Package Nutrition Rating Systems and Symbols Phase I Report (2010) / Chapter Skim
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5 Purpose and Merits of Front-of-Package Nutrition Rating Systems
Pages 51-58

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From page 51...
... While many of the healthiest foods in the supermarket, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, do not bear labels, symbols for these foods could be placed on signage or shelf labels. CATEGORIZATION OF FRONT-OF-PACKAGE NUTRITION RATING SYSTEMS As described in Chapter 3, there are a variety of reasons for developing and using FOP nutrition rating sys tems, and the reasons for use and development vary according to the intended end user, the goals of the rating systems, and the interests of the bodies developing the systems.
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From page 52...
... are used in Europe on a voluntary basis by food and beverage and retail industries to give context to the energy and nutrient content of foods and beverages. In June 2006 the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries introduced EU GDAs based on Eurodiet recommendations (available online at http://www.gdalabel.org.uk/gda/background_european.aspx [accessed June 17, 2010]
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From page 53...
... GENERAL PURPOSES OF FRONT-OF-PACKAGE SYSTEMS In 2010, the FDA announced an overarching goal for FOP nutrition rating systems: The goal of an FOP nutrition label is to increase the proportion of consumers who readily notice, understand, and use the available information to make more nutritious choices for themselves and their families, and thereby prevent or reduce obesity and other diet-related chronic disease.3 FDA also identified a number of other potential purposes of FOP systems, including providing "a more con venient and effective information tool for consumers seeking quick and accurate information about the nutritional quality of the food they are purchasing and accessing," helping to educate consumers and aid them in making healthier food choices,4 and encouraging industry reformulation of products.5 The committee's review of existing systems identified a number of purposes for FOP systems. As described in Chapter 3, some of them were intended to encourage the purchase of more nutritious products belonging to an individual company's portfolio.
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From page 54...
... b Only specific nutrient content can be compared, e.g., sodium, saturated fat, etc. c Only overall nutritional value can be compared.
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From page 55...
... Provide Prominent Serving Size Information As with calorie information, FOP nutrition rating systems could also provide descriptive information about serving size in order to reinforce with consumers the actual quantity of food that is associated with the declared calorie content. None of the reviewed FOP systems specifically indicates serving size, but, if found useful through consumer research, serving size could be indicated alongside or incorporated within the system symbol.
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From page 56...
... FOP systems using summary indicators based on thresholds could allow for comparison of nutritional value across product categories if the systems have one set of nutrient criteria for all food categories. However, current threshold systems have different nutrient criteria for different food categories, which are themselves defined dif ferently for each system.
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From page 57...
... Con ceivably, an appropriately designed FOP nutrition rating system for the general population might also be useful in advising industry on products that may be appropriate for marketing to children ages 4 years and older and could provide for a more consistent set of nutrient criteria for all companies that participate. Encourage Product Reformulation FOP rating systems can encourage food manufacturers to reformulate products or develop new products in order to meet specific nutrient targets.
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Key Terms

  • nutrition rating
  • nutrient content
  • overall nutritional
  • food categories
  • nutrient criteria

  • product categories
  • calorie content
  • serving size
  • fop nutrition
  • summary indicator

  • nutrient thresholds
  • nutrition information
  • nutritional quality
  • sodium content
  • daily values

  • fop symbol
  • provide prominent
  • fop rating
  • guideline daily
  • content information

  • facilitate comparisons
  • specific nutrient
  • prominent calorie
  • daily diet
  • summary indicators

  • low sodium
  • various nutrients
  • potential purposes
  • food product
  • food manufacturers


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