The Chicago Tribune reports that Kraft, General Mills, Unilever is phasing out its use of the “Smart Choices” logo, joining Kellogg’s and PepsiCo in backing away from the suddenly controversial nutritional labeling program.
As previously reported on MNB, the “Smart Choices” label was developed by some of the nation’s biggest food manufacturers in consultation with some health organizations, as way of differentiating between unhealthy foods and those that were better in term of nutritional content. However, the labels hit the fan when Froot Loops, a sugary cereal for kids, got the “Smart Choices” imprimatur under the program’s algorithm, leading many - including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - to question its credibility.
The FDA now is planning to issue regulations on what can be said about nutrition on the front of food packages, and the people behind “Smart Choices” have put the program on hold pending the release of those new rules.
As previously reported on MNB, the “Smart Choices” label was developed by some of the nation’s biggest food manufacturers in consultation with some health organizations, as way of differentiating between unhealthy foods and those that were better in term of nutritional content. However, the labels hit the fan when Froot Loops, a sugary cereal for kids, got the “Smart Choices” imprimatur under the program’s algorithm, leading many - including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - to question its credibility.
The FDA now is planning to issue regulations on what can be said about nutrition on the front of food packages, and the people behind “Smart Choices” have put the program on hold pending the release of those new rules.
- KC's View:
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We said it here the moment this controversy erupted - some of the decisions made by companies regarding ‘Smart Choices” managed only to undermine the validity of the program and obscure the fact that many companies actually are making healthier foods. it became a marketing program and not a nutrition-oriented program. And they may have hurt the cause of transparency, at least in the short-term.
