Smart Choices Labeling: Will It Make a Difference?
The labeling is heralded as a way to help shoppers easily choose healthy products. The Smart Choices logo prominently displays the number of calories per serving, and the number of servings per package. The New York Times explains that having one logo across multiple brands will make life simpler for consumers - and the standards used for Smart Choice are scientifically agreed:
Recognizing the need to create a uniform standard, the food companies began meeting with scientists and retailers in meetings organized by The Keystone Center, a nonprofit organization that tries to create consensus solutions to public health issues. The nutrition standards for the Smart Choices Program are based on the federal government's dietary guidelines and other scientific guidance.
The "Smart Choice Program" was developed by collaboration between food companies, scientists, academics and retailers. In order to be allowed to carry the logo, a food product must stick to certain standards for "nutrients to limit" - this includes limits on fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, added sugars and salt.
For most products, they are also required to provide certainly healthy nutrients (such as calcium, potassium and fiber) and healthy food groups (such as fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products).
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Great programme. I'd also like to start seeing GI values on products.
ReplyThere are some caveats to this system. For an analysis of pros and cons, please see “Smart Choices” Food Labeling - A Step in the Right Direction
ReplyThis reminds me of Australia's National Heart Foundation Tick.
Replysounds good in theory, but it'll be interesting to see how it plays out. And I'm not really sure how many healthy options are being offered by the participating companies to begin with. my cynicism tells me that they'll just tweak some current products to meet the standards and make some $$.
ReplyI have to admit that, while I like the idea in theory, I feel pretty much the way you do. Monitoring the accuracy of labels must be a hellishly difficult job - I mean, how many products are their on our shelves, and look at how fast new products proliferate. In 2003 there were apparently about 4000 'diet food' labels and recently I read somewhere that that's up to 6000... that's a lot of labels to keep tabs on. One Australian study found that 80% of the labels under reported sodium, fat and sugar and over-reported fibre, potassium etc....
I wish that ordinary old fresh produce had very visible labels telling us about all their fantastic attributes, but the labels that always shout the loudest are the ones that have to make claims like: FORTIFIED with vitamin C.... as if this is fabulous when in fact, it merely covers up for the disservice that's already been done when the original nutrients were strippped from the product.
ReplyI guess every little bit helps, but I worry that this label will give consumers a false sense of security and peace of mind and make them think that reading the highly-important detailed label on the back is unnecessary. Plus, the healthiest foods are whole foods like fruits and vegetables that don't require excessive labeling because they only have one ingredient.
ReplyI think it's a good idea in general, but I wonder how many people will be sucked into buying products just because the calorie count seems pretty low. There are plenty of higher calorie foods that are very, very nutritious. I can just picture people choosing something like potato chips with 140 calories per serving over nuts with around 200 calories per serving just because the chips have fewer calories.
ReplyWhat do people want from product labeling?Does the government need to put warning labels on all the "bad food", and what do we use to come to the conclusion of what is bad or good in a comprehensive labeling program?
I think these questions need to be brought up before we go condemning this labeling system . While not perfect it's probably the best or only option they had.
ReplyWait, wait, wait.... you mean... we didn't have to pass laws FORCING companies to do this???
WHAT???
I thought corporations were all evil entities out to destroy the planet and kill all of us for the sake of profit.
This... does... not... compute!
Okay, end sarcasm. Remember this the next time some eco-fascist tells you that we have to pass laws forcing car makers to adhere to some idiotic clean air regulations.
ReplyThis is great news for you guys in the states. Just be carefull when reading the labels. In the UK different stores will use different clours when labeling for things like fat. It can get a little confusing.
ReplyI do not believe that dietary fat, saturated fat, salt and cholesterol need be limited. In fact, these are all necessary nutrients.
I do not believe that whole grains (any grains) or dairy are proper nutrition for the human animal. These are unnecessary and not the foods upon which our species evolved.
These "Smart Choice" labels are being placed on foods as yet another misinformation seal of approval. The products included are those upon which industrial food manufacturers rely to maximize their profits: grains, additives and other health-destroying substances.
I believe in an evolutionarily-sound diet rich in fatty animal foods, brightly-colored vegetables, the more-wild fruits and tree nuts.
In the gym, I push 3, squat 4 and pull 5 (hundred pounds). I'm 5'7" and weigh 195 lbs, yet I have visible abs. Thought I'm built like a rock, during my maximal-effort cardiovascular routine, I maintain a heart rate of 170-180 bpm for 40 min (at age 28).
When I ate such foods as these so-called "Smart Choices", I weighed 225 pounds at 30% body fat. Granted, I ate all I wanted, and never limited myself. Yet, on my new diet, that has not changed.
I still eat all I want. I just make the truly smart choices.
Who are you going to believe? Mine is just one success story. Yours could be another.
ReplyYou can take control of food labels yourself, with even more detail than Smart Choices, plus with the ability to identify foods you may want to limit or avoid. EASY DIET LABELS at www.easydietlabels.com. – There are labels specific to Low Carb Diets, Heart Health, Calories, and Building Better Eating Habits.
ReplyProper nutrition starts at home. We as a parent should provide our children with good and healthy eating habits. Promoting a balanced diet in our family will reduce the risk of having or facing diseases. But, affording healthy groceries is always a struggle, especially during the holidays when you feel like eating more and your budget is tight. I know that after watching the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last night, I definitely don’t feel like eating more food; I feel like eating more healthy food. Those girls are downright gorgeous. Of course, I’ll never have the body of a super model, but their flat abs and long, lean legs definitely motivated me to get in better shape. I know I can eat healthier and exercise more frequently. Not only will I look better, I know I will feel better, too. It’s amazing how quickly you forget how good it feels to be in shape. Sitting on the couch after a long day instead of heading to the gym feels awesome, until you do it for two or three weeks in a row. Then, your laziness starts to catch up with you. Eating right and staying in shape can be expensive. Like I said, those grocery bills and gym membership fees definitely add up. However, the costs are certainly worth it. Taking care of yourself now will pay off later. Investing in your health will save you the trouble of serious health problems down the road. Not only can serious health problems be a detriment to your livelihood, they can also take a toll on your finances. Doctor visits, medications, therapy, routine checkups, and all that jazz can cost thousands of dollars even if you have insurance. The moral of the story is that eating right and staying fit won’t make you a Victoria’s Secret Angel, but it is imperative to adding minutes to your life. Unfortunately, affording all the things necessary for good health, like fresh produce and lean meats, can be expensive. Payday loans are available to help you pay any bill, including the grocery bill, when you need a little extra cash in between paydays. Don’t let financial hardships ruin your family healthy eating habits. There’s payday loans that is willing to help you. Click to read more on Payday Loans.
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