Legislators Seek To Modernize Food Labeling

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn.; Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J. and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., have introduced legislation H.R. 3147 called the Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2013, according to Lexology. The bill seeks to "modernize" food labeling by updating the nutrition facts panel and ingredient list requirements, addressing front-of-package labeling and eliminating misleading health claims. Regulators would have to create a nutrition key with visual cues and symbols designating how healthful a product is based on its calories, fat and other criteria. In addition, it would require the Department of Health and Human Services to update the definition of the term “healthy” and standardize the term “natural.” Manufacturers would be required to put the symbols on the front of their products. Full article.