The New Food Labels: 'Smart Choices' - What Do These New Labels Mean for You?

There are even another new series of food labels on the horizon- 'Smart Choices'. What are these labels? What do they mean? How can they help you and your family? Do we really need another set of food labels? 'Smart Choices' food labels, produced by the non-profit Keystone Group, will debut the middle of next year. 'Smart Choices' labels are displayed voluntarily by companies interested in participating in the campaign on the front of eligible products. It is meant to be an easy to find, easy to read, and recognizable label on participating and eligible foods. 'Smart Choices' labels are to help consumers to make smart food choices while shopping, and to be more aware of calories per serving in foods. Foods that display the 'Smart Choices' label have to meet certain criteria, which includes: not be high in cholesterol, added sugars, total fat, saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium. Not only can they not include too much of unhealthy ingredients, they also have to include a certain amount of nutrients in the product. Nutrients that are looked for in these food products include: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, fiber, calcium, potassium, magnesium. Other criteria that foods can also meet to acquire the 'Smart Choices' label is to be made with whole grains, fruit, vegetables, or low-fat/fat-free dairy.

Besides having the 'Smart Choices' seal on the front of the products package, the calories per serving and the number of servings will be displayed for easy reference and comparison shopping. All of the foods being considered are placed in their respective category of the 18 different categories, and then have to meet the special requirements of that category.

This is not a mandatory labeling system, so each company will have the decision whether or not to include these on their eligible products. Some companies have already announced that they will most likely participate in this new label system. The companies that will likely participate are General Mills, Kellogg, Kraft Foods, PepsiCo, ConAgra Foods, Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart and Unilever.

Like most new things, this has not come without debate or negativity on the intentions and the reality behind this new campaign. Some people say it may just be a marketing strategy in which the companies that can afford to buy into this program do so, so that they can make more money by taking business from smaller companies or those who opt out of the program. The thought behind the labeling system is it makes shopping easier and the consumer doesn't have to shop around as much, and they just choose the product that has this label with the healthiest rating. This thought process brings about another problem which is the consumer blindly buying products based solely on the fact that it has the 'Smart Choices' label without weighing all the facts themselves. The consumer says to themselves, well the experts decided this is a "smart choice" to buy so even though I think it may have too much sugar, for it to have this label it must have a lot of other good ingredients that outweigh the high sugar content. Which is likely not the case. For example it has been stated that cereal would be allowed up to 12 grams of sugar per serving allowing cereals such as Reese's Puffs, Fruity Pebbles, and Cocoa Krispies. But, the reality is that many people recognize these cereals as not being a "smart choice" for a healthy breakfast, because of all the sugar in one serving. It is like all things, it is good in moderation and with other foods to supplement what the cereal may lack that is necessary in a healthy diet. But, this is not what these labels are saying or demonstrating to the public. It is like these labels are saying to the public, "don't worry we made on the health choices for you, just use our labeling system and everything will be fine. Don't worry about reading the nutrition information, we did it for you". So, then the consumer then feels that they no longer have to worry about balanced diets or eating in moderation. So, in some ways it almost seems like these labels may even lead to or at least come close to false advertising.

There is also criticism because of the one size fits all attitude of the labeling system. The 'Smart Choices' labels do not allow for or differentiate between different diets. The labels assume that everyone is on the same diet, and does not allow for personalization of different diets, such as low sodium, dairy free, soy free, or gluten free. So, not only does this pose a problem for those shopping for specialized diets, but it further fuels the notion to consumers that we should all be on the same diet. But, the reality is that everyone requires their own unique diet depending on their age, health, and any allergies/sensitivities. What these labels seem to say is that as long as you consume products with these labels, then you are making healthy choices, with no other thought needed. So, potentially a person could get the idea from this labeling system that a diet rich in Fruity Peebles is a "smart choice". So, without further direction from the labeling system or consumers reverting back to the good 'ole days of reading the label for themselves and making their own educated opinion, this labeling system potentially could do more harm or confusion than good. What is more important than a time saving label bought by the company trying to sell you their product, is proper nutrition education and then consumers making their own educated choices on what to buy and put into their bodies. Even with all this said these labels could potentially be useful to consumers. What is important is that the consumer understands what they really mean, and to not rely solely on these labels. It is still important to be an informed consumer and to eat in moderation a well balanced diet.

Resources

Childs, Dan. "Will 'Smart Choice' Label Mean Healthy Shopping?". ABC News. http://sendtofriend.abcnews.go.com/Health/Diet/story?id=6131319&page=1

Fredrix, Emily. "Big New Labels Meant to Help Food Shoppers Make 'Smart Choices'". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2008-10-24-food-nutrition-labels_N.htm

Hitti, Miranda. "'Smart Choices' Food Labels Are Coming". WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20081028/smart-choices-food-labels-are-coming

Hughlett. Mike. "Foodmakers come up with 'Smart Choice' label to denote healthier fare". Chicago Tribune. http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/oct/24/business/chi-smart-choice-food-label-oct24

Smart Choices Program. "Helping Guide More Nutritious Food and Beverage Choices".http://smartchoicesprogram.com/