Taking a Closer Look at Nutrition Symbols on Food Labels

Over the past few years, there has been a boom in the number of symbols appearing on food packages. Some display facts about nutrient content, while others use symbols to identify better for you foods. The front-of-package (FOP) symbols are generated and managed by nonprofits, food and beverage comp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2010-04, Vol.110 (4), p.517-519
Main Authors: Yoder Latortue, Krista, RD, LDN, Weber, Jennifer A., MPH, RD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Associations
Daily Values
Descriptive labeling
Dietetics
dietitians
Food - classification
food labeling
Food Labeling - standards
Food, Organic - classification
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Policy
Humans
Internal Medicine
Memberships
nutrient content
Nutrition
nutrition information
Nutrition Policy
Polls & surveys
Public Policy
United States
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Description
Summary:Over the past few years, there has been a boom in the number of symbols appearing on food packages. Some display facts about nutrient content, while others use symbols to identify better for you foods. The front-of-package (FOP) symbols are generated and managed by nonprofits, food and beverage companies, and grocery stores with each system using different nutrition criteria. Here, Latortue and Weber take a closer look at FOP labeling systems. To guide the Association's work on nutrition symbols, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) surveyed members regarding their awareness, attitudes, and use of FOP labeling systems in 2008 and 2009. In both 2008 and 2009, roughly nine in 10 responded that they were aware of symbols or icons on the front of food packages that communicate nutrition information to consumers. When ADA members were asked about their use of FOP symbols, approximately 42% indicated they instruct clients to look for FOP labels.
ISSN:0002-8223
2212-2672
1878-3570
2212-2680
DOI:10.1016/j.jada.2010.02.022