GMA Statement on Nutrition Facts Panel Revision

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) issued the following statement from Dr. Leon Bruner, GMA’s chief science officer, on the release today of a new Nutrition Facts panel by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

“The Nutrition Facts panel has been an invaluable tool to help consumers build more healthful diets for their families for 20 years.  GMA shares FDA’s commitment to improving nutrition labeling regulations and it commends the agency’s significant investment of time and resources to update this important tool for consumers.

“This update is timely as diets, eating patterns and consumer preferences have changed dramatically since the Nutrition Facts panel was first introduced. Food and beverage manufacturers have responded by creating more than 30,000 healthier product choices since 2002, and by providing tools like Facts Up Front front-of-pack labels and our SmartLabelTM ingredient information initiative.

“Because consumers could be confused by the new label with its numerous changes, a robust consumer education effort will be needed to ensure that people continue to understand how the revised label can be used to make informed choices and maintain healthful dietary practices. We look forward to working with FDA and other stakeholders on messages and activities to help consumers understand what the new labels mean.”