US regulators scrutinise front-of-pack labels
America’s food watchdog is testing nutrition claims found on the front of food packaging after complaints of misleading health claims, the regulator informed food companies earlier this week.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is concerned that the health claims may be becoming a marketing gimmick and will punish anyone breaking labelling laws.
“Some nutritionists have questioned whether this information is more marketing oriented than health oriented, and judging from some of the labels that we have seen, we think this is a valid concern,” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said, according to Reuters.
The food regulator is looking into the prospect of defining nutritional criteria for front-of-pack claims and has sent out a warning letter to food manufacturers.
