Yesterday we looked at an effort by the FDA to alter labeling on certain products. Another similar issue involving the same agency is bubbling away, and it calls into question the nature of food labels and what different groups believe they signal to a consumer. On the agency’s official website, an FAQ about a possible change to the way milk and other dairy items are depicted on their labels describes a petition being lobbied by the providers of milk and milk products. These groups want the FDA to drop a rule that requires all ingredients not normally included in a product’s “standard of identity” to be noted as such on the label. The particular ingredients in question are artificial sweeteners, which often appear in milk beverages labeled as “Reduced Calorie.”
The argument for getting rid of “Reduced Calorie” seems to revolve around children, apparently a key demographic when it comes to flavored milk (like chocolate or strawberry). Supposedly supporters of this change believe that more children will drink milk that isn’t stigmatized by a label and could reduce obesity. Sweetening agents like aspartame (Equal) and sucralose would still be in these drinks, but shoppers would only know this by checking the ingredients list, often found on the back or underside of a food item’s packaging. Another, perhaps unspoken, motivation may be a recent dip in dairy industry sales.
This petition dates back to 2009, according to the Huffington Post, and concerned parties can submit comments online regarding it. Right now, the FDA is still encouraging users to make their opinions known and there does not appear to be an official date given for consideration.
So much can depend upon the seemingly innocuous wording of a sticker, wrapper or container. Companies committed to making labels that best serve the public can consider the advantages of onboard color printers, ready to go as soon as changes are made.
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