Tell the FDA: Nutrition Label Updates are Long Overdue

According to the Dietary Guidelines 2015 Scientific Report, almost all Americans are exceeding targets for added sugar consumption. There is strong and convincing evidence that consuming too much added sugar is linked with higher body weights and poorer health outcomes.

The trouble is, our current food label makes it tricky to find unsuspecting sources of added sugars. The Nutrition Facts panel only lists Total Sugars, which includes those that occur naturally in foods like milk, yogurt, and fruit. That makes it hard to tell when your seemingly healthy yogurt has 3 teaspoons of added sugar—about as much as a sugary breakfast cereal.

That’s why, in addition to our commitment to being responsible with added sugars in our foods, we have submitted a comment to the FDA to show our support for the proposed addition of an Added Sugar column on the Nutrition Facts Panel.

A 2014 study found that the majority of people surveyed would find it helpful to know how much added sugar is in packaged foods, and they believe that information would be useful to reduce added sugar intake and manage diabetes, among other reasons. Yet despite this, the proposal to list added sugars on the Nutrition Facts Panel is facing strong opposition. That’s why we’re rallying you to join the conversation and ask for truth in labeling by showing your support for the proposed update to the Nutrition Facts Panel.

Submit your letter today to encourage the FDA to bring you more transparency and accuracy in food labeling. Show your support of the Added Sugar labelling proposal by cutting and pasting the below letter and submitting it here, or feel free to compose your own.

Letter to FDA Acting Commissioner Stephen Ostroff:

I understand the FDA is working to update the nutrition labeling on food products (Docket No. FDA-2012-N-1210 / RIN 0910-AF22), and a supplemental proposal to require the declaration of the percent Daily Value (DV) for added sugars on the label (Docket No. FDA-2012-N-1210-0537) and I am writing to express my strong support for this update.

Given the strong link between added sugars and higher body weight as well as the evidence linking consumption of added sugars with type 2 diabetes, a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke, I am looking to manage the added sugars in my diet.

Presently, it is impossible to tell the difference between natural sugars and those that are added, making it more difficult to avoid unwanted added sugars. The proposed changes will make it easier to evaluate the added sugars in foods, thereby making it easier to make food choices that will support better health.

Thank you for your consideration of my comments.