Health

Gov’t Could Adopt New Proposal to Rate Food Using…Stars

WASHINGTON (The Blaze/AP) — One star, two stars, three. Could this be a new designation for what’s the healthier food option? A new recommendation to the Food and Drug Administration is saying we could all benefit from a front-of-the-package food label, which would help shoppers quickly identify the healthiest options, as Energy Star does for appliances.

FDA Study Recommends Standardized Nutrition Labeling System for Fronts of Packaging

Energy Star is a label for energy-efficient products run jointly through the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

It wouldn’t replace the in-depth Nutrition Facts panel that’s now on the back or side of food packages. But few shoppers stop to read or heed that fine print in the middle of the grocery aisle.

The Institute of Medicine’s report says it’s time to put right upfront the most important information for health: how many calories per serving — and just how big that serving is — along with stars or some other symbol to show at a glance how the food rates for certain fats, sodium and added sugars.

FDA Study Recommends Standardized Nutrition Labeling System for Fronts of Packaging

Choices, choices. Would a front-of-package nutrition rating system result in shoppers choosing the healthier choice? (Photo: America Jr)

“American shoppers are busy shoppers,” said Ellen Wartella, a psychology professor at Northwestern University who chaired the IOM committee that studied the issue at the government’s request.

“We want a really simple system that says if you have three marks, that product is healthier than one with two marks.”

The FDA already was working to change the food-labeling system to make it more user-friendly. The agency didn‘t say if it would adopt a ratings approach but called Thursday’s report a thoughtful analysis that would help it decide next steps.

“FDA agrees consumers can benefit from a front-of-pack labeling system that conveys nutrition information in a manner that is simple and consistent with the Nutrition Facts panel,” said spokeswoman Siobhan DeLancey.

But the IOM’s recommendation would face an uphill battle with food manufacturers who are pushing their own version of on-the-front food labels and don‘t like the idea of ranking one food as healthier than a competitor’s.

“We believe the most effective programs are those that trust consumers and not ones that tell consumers what they should and should not eat,” said Scott Faber, a lobbyist for the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

The GMA’s “Facts Up Front” label, supported by the FDA,  is probably something you’ve already seen before.

FDA Study Recommends Standardized Nutrition Labeling System for Fronts of Packaging

But IOM is recommending development of an even simpler front-of-package label.


Comments (125)

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  • deeberj
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 11:02am

    “But few shoppers stop to read or heed that fine print in the middle of the grocery aisle”

    Because we are all a bunch of idiots and the goverment is our parent. Boy this really peeves me. I myself read the back label, thank you. I decide what is healthy, for me and my family, not the government. I bet you they’ll give three stars to something so awful I would not allow it into my home. With the FDA‘s history I don’t trust them AT ALL.

    Report Post » deeberj  
    • ther1ghtsofbilly
      Posted on October 28, 2011 at 9:58am

      The FDA is not getting into my pants again. No way. I’ll eat pure Crisco in an ice cream cone before I take any advice from them.

      Report Post » ther1ghtsofbilly  
  • KICKILLEGALSOUT
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 11:01am

    Yes Obama admin, we were too stupid to understand the existing package labels. So now how many millions of taxpayer dollars and time is going to be wasted for the FDA to implement this when they should be focusing on the tsunami of toxic food imports that are all over our shelves from China and they even admitted that they only really can inspect about 2% of total food imports.

    Report Post » KICKILLEGALSOUT  
    • KickinBack
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:13pm

      If you get enough stars, you earn a smiley face! 10 smiley faces and you get a treat.

      Report Post » KickinBack  
    • The10thAmendment
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 12:29pm

      I’ll eat what I damned well want to. More wasteful idea’s and useless information from intellectually arrogant boobs.

      Report Post » The10thAmendment  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:10pm

      Just another expense for food companies to implement. No wonder our food costs keep going up.
      The more the gov’t requires of them, the more we pay. How did we get along all these years eating what we choose to eat as consumers?

      Report Post »  
    • normalmom
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 2:20pm

      Don‘t forget those that can’t read the info in the first place. They need it easy.

      Report Post »  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 4:44pm

      .
      No reason to think,
      no reason to be able to read (English),
      just buy our stars, and vote for liberals.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • loriann12
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 7:01pm

      I just got a picture from a relative (don’t know where it was taken) that shows the express line in a Walmart. It says, “15 items or less,” then under that it says, “That is THIS many…” with a picture of 3 hands. They really do think we are that stupid.

      Report Post »  
    • WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges01
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 8:02pm

      “Gov’t Could Adopt New Proposal to Rate Food Using…Stars”

      And where is this authority granted our government servants in our U.S. Constitution? (I must‘ve missed it skimming over it’s whole 3 pages …)

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges01  
    • Grey Eagle
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 9:43pm

      Yes, the Obama administration needs to butt out of our lives. They want to tell us what to drive, what to eat, where to live, what to teach our children, who to vote for, and what to think. I managed for years without their help and think I can continue just fine.

      Report Post »  
    • lillymckim
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:34pm

      Oh yea.. that has Michelle written all over it!

      Report Post » lillymckim  
    • lillymckim
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:36pm

      My great grandmother lived to be 102 and no one ever told her what she should eat…

      Report Post » lillymckim  
  • mom4times
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 11:00am

    I trust the FDA completely…..In fact…..I trust them SOOOO much that I have a veggie garden every year, milking cow, chickens, turkeys (already in the freezer), eggs, 3 pigs (butchered sat) and an angus (also butchered sat)

    Report Post » mom4times  
    • MOLLYPITCHER
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 11:27am

      I’m with you all the way!! Good to know that what I’m feeding my kids is real and uncontaminated.

      Report Post »  
    • Smokey_Bojangles
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 11:40am

      A Wisconsin judge ruled the government can still control your homegrown organic food. Seems all those people who lived off of non pasteurized milk for 10000 years were wrong.

      Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • Seamstress
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 1:41pm

      You are right on the money, Mom. Another scarry manipulative tool…

      Report Post » Seamstress  
    • country_hick
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 9:19pm

      Thanks for reminding me! I have to go over to the farm and get milk this week…straight from the bulk tank.

      As for the “Judge” and his ruling I am certain that my size 10, properly lubricated, would fit…well, you get the idea!

      Report Post »  
  • GhostOfJefferson
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:59am

    This would be the same government that upheld a clearly fraudulent “nutrition pyramid” for decades?

    The same government that mandates putting an industrial waste by-product, used for rat poisoning and as a crop insecticide, in our water supply without a shred of evidence that it benefits us, and with research showing that it harms us (fluoride, btw)?

    Constitutional authority – 0.0%

    Another day, another clue that we’re no longer the people we used to be.

    Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
  • obamie da commie
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:57am

    Another way to dumb down america.

    Report Post »  
    • Marci
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 11:04am

      Let’s see, another stupid cost added on to the product adding to already high grocery costs, when you can turn the box over and read what you need to. Oh wait….all the illegals can’t read it. Or will it be in twenty languages too?

      Marci  
  • standuppeople
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:57am

    1. Build negative. 2. Isolate target (star). 3. Enforce. [Outcome: control]

    Report Post »  
  • MOLLYPITCHER
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:56am

    A New England grocery chain (at least Northern New England) which shall remain nameless, adopted this system years ago. I thought it was stupid then, and I still do. They have a lot of it back asswards. For instance, according to them enriched white flour has two stars, where unadulterated whole wheat flour has one. What kind of idiot figured that out. It doesn‘t take a rocket scientist to figure out that food in it’s most natural state is healthier than food that has been “enriched”. If you want to eat healthier then take your time and look at the label, because you can’t trust others. especially the government to take care of you. If you don’t care thats your prerogative. As far as I’m concerned their stars have no bearing whatsoever on my shopping and they can shove em……..

    Report Post »  
  • Rick494
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:54am

    If I really care what the nutritional facts are of a product, I’ll read the label. If I don’t care, I don’t need it on the front of the box, since I won’t read it anyways. I’m smart enough to read.

    Report Post »  
    • Johnny Cocheroo
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:59am

      Lol – who even needs the labels?

      I am pretty stinkin sure that a carrot is a lot healthier than my Tombstone pizza.

      Report Post »  
  • Johnny Cocheroo
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:53am

    Why don’t the government just tell me what foods that I can eat – or – even better, just make a standard kibble for me that contains all the essential vitamins & nutrients that I need.

    Report Post »  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:51am

    Yep, they really DO think they know better than us mere mortals….. Silly peasants. We must be told what to eat, how to seek it out, and to let Society/Big Govt take care of us for our own good so that we may be better World Citizens. After all, we’re just too dumb to know any better….

    Speaking of World Citizens, when will they develop the hatcheries with the conditioning phases of development for those whom they deem “worthy” or “unworthy”?

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:46am

    Then Eventually there will be a tax based on stars to drive the low star products out of business.Then we will all be eating Tofu on a stick cooked in a twisty light bulb powered oven.Well Not All of us.The Obama’s will still have cheeseburgers and chilli dogs.

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:58am

      @smokey

      Agreed

      Report Post »  
    • babylonvi
      Posted on October 25, 2011 at 12:34am

      And after the tax based persecution, next will be health insurance surtax for eating food without enough ‘stars’.

      Report Post » babylonvi  
  • CASDEE10
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:45am

    Great idea! Now we can rate the Pres. with no stars.

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:43am

    .
    I got something you can put a star on……………….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:43am

    If you have never seen the movie “Idiocracy”, take the time to see it, it’s coming true. Here’s the synopsis:
    Private Joe Bauers, the definition of “average American”, is selected by the Pentagon to be the guinea pig for a top-secret hibernation program. Forgotten, he awakes 500 years in the future. He discovers a society so incredibly dumbed-down that he’s easily the most intelligent person alive.
    It’s funny and sad.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Locked
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 11:08am

      “It’s got electrolytes!”

      I agree with your statement: “funny and sad.” Worth watching too, because I found it more funny than sad overall.

      Report Post »  
  • mjhoman
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:42am

    I do not trust the FDA any more than the CDC. Neither of them are in the business of public safety, they are in the business or business, in otherwords, making large sums of money making us think they are concerned about our health. Take cigarettes… if they have some 700 harmful chemicals in them, city water has chlorine and flouride (known to cause cancer), meat is injected with chemicals irratated, and the aminals feed with hormones that promote excessive eating, microwaves change the food heated inside that affects the blood, etc. etc., etc…. while they pay big bucks to have doctors and others on television say research shows they are safe… yet we are getting sicker and sicker, while our children are being born with more and more old age diseases and illnesses, and we are to swallow this? You may think I am just paranoid, but think about what I said for a while. If you look yourself you would be surprised at how almost all of your food and water is deliberately poisoned, and not all by the polluting culprits you see on the mainstream media. If it is not natural, it’s not safe! This is just an attempt to get people lazy and not reading the labels. Watch up!

    Report Post »  
  • Kathleen3
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:42am

    Recognizing the House of Narcissist who reside in our White House I would suggest if a food product is low in sugar/calories it have a BO icon; if sugar/salt/and high in calories, place an MO icon on it.

    Tell these people to get out of our lives and, preferably, out of our country.

    Report Post »  
  • Founding Father2
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:41am

    Both Steve Wynn and Jack Welch slam Obama this weekend for his crazy regulations and talk about how he is destroying jobs. ( http://www.americanparchment.com/video/2011/oct/welch_obama_crazy.html ) These are the type of regulations that will destroy jobs because for a small business to get the rating, it will cost them hundreds of thousands or millions to get rated. This will bankrupt businesses everywhere.

    Report Post »  
    • Countrygirl1362
      Posted on October 24, 2011 at 11:29am

      Isn’t that the goal of Obama, to destroy everything and every one in this county?

      Report Post »  
  • Deanna in Missouri
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:34am

    Note to Government…Stay the HE## out of my life!

    Report Post » Deanna in Missouri  
  • Trenaway
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:33am

    This will raise the price of food products. Putting the labels on are not free, cost both labor and supplies. This will be about a 10% jump in food cost. More things this President wants to do, to destroy our economy!

    Report Post » Trenaway  
  • cabnetdude
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:33am

    If the regime tells me that the world is round…then I say it is flat! I will only eat as I please according to the Constitution of the United States of America!

    Report Post »  
  • thegodfather
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:32am

    help us Obi Wan Michelle….you’re our only hope.

    Report Post » thegodfather  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:31am

    They believe that we are not mentally capable to make our own decisions, and only they know what is best for us. How much money is being wasted on this ? They are treating us like preschool children that get a little star if they pay attention and follow instructions. They need to pay attention to THE STARS AND STRIPES and not little stars posted on our food.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
  • Locked
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:24am

    Dumb idea. If you care about nutrition, you’ll read the facts. And how can complex items be broken down into “good” or “bad” things? A salad is good, but if you smother it in dressing it becomes terrible for you. A cup of ramen only has 300 calories, but 60% of the sodium you’re supposed to have in a day. Eggs are a good source of protein but also have a lot of fat; even if it’s “good” fat. Fish are healthy but eating it too often can lead to mercury poisoning.

    The answer is education, not a stars system. It‘s not the government’s job to make people think one thing is more appealing than another; it is their job to provide facts as to WHY one is better than another. If people still don’t care to learn, well, then they deal with the consequences. What a concept!

    Report Post »  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:23am

    Open the door a crack and they will storm through it. It is still the responsibilty of the consumer, Not the government.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
  • Drakkhanlord
    Posted on October 24, 2011 at 10:23am

    soon as they tell us which foods contain the gmo’s and other BS , i might think about it …

    these bastids are not worried about your safety , they are the ones poisoning you…

    Report Post » Drakkhanlord  
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