INDIANAPOLIS — A new rule being considered on Capitol Hill could change the way things look in the grocery aisle.
If enacted, it would require nutrition labels to go on the front of food packaging instead of the back. The general idea behind the proposal is that putting nutritional information, like ingredients and number of calories, on the front of a food package could help shoppers make healthier choices about what they buy. It’s also an effort to tackle chronic disease in the U.S.
The FDA has been working on this proposal, and just sent it to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review. While full details aren’t available yet, the FDA has previously said the rule would require the front of food labels to display certain nutrition information to help consumers make more informed dietary choices.
It’s also part of a larger approach to reduce chronic disease and help Americans maintain a healthier diet.
Aside from general nutrition information, the labels would also have to identify when foods are high in ingredients that are linked to chronic disease. Some health experts believe the idea could find favor in the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement.
Currently, 16 other countries, including Germany, France and Spain, already have front-of-packaging labeling.
Now that the White House has the proposal, the Office of Management and Budget will publish it for public comment.
