FEATURED ISSUE
Food industry facing updated nutrition labeling changes
In March, 2023, a U.S. Federal government document stated “Most people in the U.S. do not eat enough fruits, vegetables, dairy or whole grains, and they consume too much saturated fat, sodium and added sugars.” [per U.S. Food & Drug Administration] You may nod your head as you read this statement, agreeing that many people are not making healthy food choices. And as the government’s statement continues with “Poor nutrition plays a key role in chronic and preventable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity,” you probably continue feeling comfortable with this statement. Does it change your comfort level in any way to learn that the two above sentences are in a broader statement proceeded by “Eating patterns in the U.S. do not align with dietary recommendations”? Are you a bit curious as to how the government arrived at these “dietary recommendations”? Particularly, as this total statement is part of updating how these dietary recommendations will be allowed on food packaging labels?

Further research on this matter shows that the government uses the recommendations in Dietary Guidelines jointly published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) every five years. Currently, the government is using the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 edition. Further research explained that these guidelines “represent the consensus produced by a group of qualified experts whose bias and conflicts of interest have been minimized.” Their Consensus Report conveys “agreed-upon recommendations that reflect widely-accepted, objective views of current scientific evidence.”

Keep this in mind as you review any articles dealing with the current unfolding of changes in how the food industry will be allowed to label nutritional value on their packaging. The government’s stated intent is to influence consumers toward healthy dietary patterns.

ISSUE: Are you well-informed about the Federal government’s current approach for encouraging their version of a healthy diet?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position and views knowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s Issue, the following articles have been selected so that you can review the official documents involved. You are encouraged to delve deeper and expand your knowledge of this matter using these articles as a springboard.

Government documents
FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Dietary Guidance Statements on Food Labels (3/24/23)
U.S. Food & Drug Administration

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 edition
U.S. Department of Agriculture / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Questions and Answers About Dietary Guidance Statements in Food Labeling: Guidance for Industry: Draft Guidance (March 2023)
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services / Food & Drug Administration

FDA Works to Further Improve Nutrition, Reduce Diet-Related Chronic Disease with Dietary Guidance Statements on Food Labels (3/24/23)
U.S. Food & Drug Administration

PRO
The Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2023
Center for Science in the Public Interest

CON
The Labels On Your Food Are Shielding Lies (4/20/23)
Alliance for Natural Health USA

You are also encouraged to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments.