Source:  Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 10/28/10

Several of the food and beverage industries’ leading organizations and companies have agreed to work together to create a front-of-package nutrition labeling system, the Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Food Marketing Institute said in a joint news release.

The “unprecedented consumer initiative” will put products’ nutritional information in a place where consumers almost can’t ignore it, making it “easier for busy consumers to make informed choices when they shop,” the release said.

The front-of-pack labels will have information on calories and other nutrients. The organizations hope the new initiative will help combat obesity in the United States.

“In the coming months, GMA and FMI will finalize the details of the initiative, including the technical and design elements. In addition, details will be finalized on how to provide consumers with information on nutrients needed to build a 'nutrient-dense’ diet and on 'shortfall nutrients’ that are under-consumed in the diets of most Americans,” the release said.

Consumers will begin to see the new label in the marketplace early next year. To build consumer awareness and promote the label’s use, manufacturers and retailers have agreed to support the change to their product labels with a $50 million consumer education campaign in 2011, aimed at parents who are primary household shoppers.

“Thanks to this initiative and many other innovative industry programs, consumers will now have access to more information about their food than ever before,” said FMI President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Sarasin.

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