Front-of-Package Nutrition Rating Systems and Symbols Promoting Healthier Choices (2012) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
9 Recommendations
9 Recommendations
Pages 105-108
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 105... ...
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOP SYSTEMS AND SYMBOLS As noted in the Phase I report, "The most useful primary purpose of front-of-package rating systems and symbols would be to help consumers identify and select foods based on the nutrients most strongly linked to public health concerns for Americans." Using the Phase I conclusions as a starting point, the Phase II committee determined that the most critical nutrition components to include in FOP symbol systems are calories, saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars. The Phase I committee concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support inclusion of total fat, cholesterol, total carbohydrate or added sugars, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals other than sodium on a FOP label.
|
From page 106... ...
However, because the evidence showed that there are no flawless FOP symbol systems in the marketplace, the committee concluded that a single, standardized system that is easily understood by most age groups and appears on all products would be the best option for encouraging consumers to make healthier food choice and purchase decisions. The committee determined that a single, standardized system for all foods would provide the following spe cific benefits: • Prominently provide in one symbol system information about calorie content and serving size and targeted information related to nutrients and most foods with added sugars that are strongly associated with public health concerns for Americans; • Facilitate comparisons of nutritional value within as well as across food categories; and • Encourage product reformulation.
|
From page 107... ...
; • Appearing in a consistent location across products; • Practical to implement by being consistent with nutrition labeling regulations; • Integrated with the NFP so that the FOP symbol system and the NFP are mutually reinforcing; • Providing a nonproprietary, transparent translation of nutrition information into health meaning; and • Made prominent and useful to consumers through an ongoing and frequently refreshed program of promotion integrating the efforts of all concerned parties. Implementation of this system will require modifications of and/or exemptions to current FDA regulations and development of both new regulations and food group specifications for establishing evaluative criteria.
|
From page 108... ...
The aim of the FOP symbol system is to help consumers identify and choose products that are more consistent than others with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans for saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars, based on a set of criteria to make that distinction. Based on an evaluation of a limited number of products, the committee found certain criteria for "low saturated fat" and "low sodium" to be overly stringent for products that are consistent with a healthful diet, which suggests that FDA consider alternative criteria devel oped through the regulatory process to allow certain foods and foods encouraged by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to receive points as appropriate.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.