Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling — An Abuse of Trust by the Food Industry?

On January 24, two food-industry trade associations announced a new voluntary nutrition-labeling system that major food and beverage companies would use on the front of packages to “help busy consumers make informed choices.” But is the program good for public health? On January 24, 2011, two major food-industry trade associations, the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) and the Food Marketing Institute, announced a new and voluntary nutrition-labeling system that major food and beverage companies would use on the front of packages to “help busy consumers make informed choices.” The chair of the board of GMA said, “Our industry has stepped up to the plate in a big way to help improve public health and combat obesity, and this program is a very important step in the right direction.” The industry will spend $50 million to “educate” the public about the new . . .