The administration may announce later this week the first update to the Nutrition Facts labels that appear on food packages, said Politico’s Morning Ag newsletter. If so, it would be part of events surrounding the fourth anniversary of the First Lady’s “Let’s Move” campaign against childhood obesity. “(M)ultiple sources…are fully expecting the announcement to drop late next week,” said the electronic newsletter on Friday.
The buzz is generated by a White House description of an event planned for Thursday and described, “The First Lady will make an announcement regarding proposals to help parents and other consumers make healthier choices.”
On its Web site, the Food and Drug Administration said at the end of 2013 that an update was being prepared. Here’s what appears on a page titled “Nutrition Facts Label: 20 and Evolving:”
“The agency is planning to update the Nutrition Facts label based on the latest science-based nutrition recommendations.
“Paula Trumbo, Ph.D., acting director of FDA’s nutrition programs staff explains that updates are being assessed to address such factors as current nutrient recommendations, public health concerns based on recent data on food consumption, and the agency’s desire to make this information as clear and useful as possible.
“The updates are still being formulated. Public input will be sought when they are proposed.”