Relative Something

I just learned that the FDA is now proposing that companies declare a daily percent value for sugar! That would be a dream come true for me. As thrilling as that news was, the details I found in an NPR piece on the subject, “No More Hidden Sugar: FDA Proposes New Label Rule,” left me a little less ecstatic.

Left: The current Nutrition Facts panel on foods. Right: The label changes that the FDA proposed in 2014 would list added sugars. Now the FDA wants the label to list the percent daily value, too. —image: FDA

At their site, I found a fabulous new version of the nutrition label, which they proposed in 2014. What fun! But, that was last year. Why are we still waiting for it?

Not only is the information better displayed, they want to show when sugar has been added to a food. Include the more recent proposal of finally revealing the percentage of recommended daily amount of sugar in the serving, and you have improved the label dramatically.

Unfortunately, it’s only a proposal at this point. I believe we’ve been here before. The strength of the food industry to control the legislation written by our elected representatives, has proved influential enough to get their way in the past. It is my understanding that this is the reason the percentage isn’t shown for sugar on the labels currently in use.

The NPR article indicates that the FDA will take public comment on the new proposal for 75 days, before issuing a final rule. There is no question in my mind about the likelihood that the lobbyists for the sugar industry will be doing what they do best to further their interests during this time, at the expense of common sense and the health of consumers.

Could this be the time when public benefit wins out over the almighty dollar?

How would you react to a food that has 130% of the recommended daily amount of sugar in ONE serving? It’s out there on the shelves already. You just can’t tell without doing your own calculations. If they want the percentage to look reasonable, but they don’t change their ingredients, imagine how small the food industry will need to make their serving sizes.

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