Food labeling could be key to fighting obesity
express their agreement that the nutritional information on food
packaging can play a key role in addressing obesity.
This subject was discussed during a hearing on the issue of obesity held by the house subcommittee on human rights and wellness.
Hunt Shipman, executive vice president of government affairs and communications for the National Food Processors Association (NFPA), testified that the nutrition information on food packaging could be vital in tackling the growing problems of obesity in the US.
"The nutrition facts panel found on most food packages can be an excellent weight management tool, providing consumers with information that can help them to attain or maintain a healthy weight by making wise food choices," said Shipman. "It is important to remember that this is the greatest source of nutrition information for most consumers."
The Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) added its weight to the argument through Alison Kretser, the body's director of scientific and nutrition policy.
She noted that the nutrition panel is only useful to consumers if it is easy to use, which was why the GMA was funding research to better understand what the consumer would like to learn about calories and serving sizes from the packaging.
"The goal is not just to educate consumers about the label, but to improve the label to meet their needs," said Kretser at the hearing.
"With the intense public focus on obesity, health and nutrition, we have an unprecedented opportunity to combat obesity and to improve public health," she added. "Through improved nutrition information and product innovation, we can give consumers the tools they need to build healthy diets and to maintain a healthy weight."
Shipman concluded by drawing attention to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the food pyramid - draft versions of which were released earlier this month and which will be finalised at the beginning of 2005 - saying that like the labels, dietary guidance messages should avoid over-complication.
"Nutrition education tools [should] be easily understood and be designed to trigger behavioral change by the public," he said. "Attention to positive dietary guidance messages, coupled with consumer research to evaluate their effectiveness in motivating behavioral change, is essential."
Every five years the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated by the Department of Agriculture. This year the clearest message for the industry was the emphasis on calorie counting to manage body weight and the need to choose fats and carbohydrates "wisely" to remain in good health.
These messages were accompanied by the core theme that Americans are still generally consuming too much of everything, though most should up their intake of vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, potassium and fiber, and adults should additionally stock up on their vitamin A and C. The guidelines will now be looked at by the industry and comments submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services by 27 September, and the final guidelines will be published in January 2005.
An Associated Press-IPSOS poll carried out in May found that 30 per cent of Americans consider overeating the nation's top health problem, but just 12 percent said they were dieting
