Food Processors Association Says It Has No Problem With New Food Labels

The Midwest Food Processors Association (MWFPA) says that at least for now, it has no concerns about new food labelling rules.

However, there is a lot of competition for what gets on a label and federal officials are likely to get an earful during the official 90-day comment period.

The food labels make a number of changes, the biggest having to do with added sugar and calories. Serving size will be more in-line with the portions people eat. Calorie counting is designed to be easier with new food labels. A large bottle of soda pop, for instance, would be one serving.

Nick George is president of the MWFPA, which represents mostly fruit and vegetable canners in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. He said his group has no immediate concerns about the proposed rule.

“The thing with labels is, there’s only so much room on a label. And so many interests are competing to get on that thing,” said George. “I know I often look at the calorie count and then I say, ‘But how many servings is this?’ So I think that’s probably okay.”

A study released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture last month indicated the number of people reading food labels is growing. The study showed 42 percent of adults looked at the labels most or all of the time when shopping.