Consumer Brands Association Offers Alternative to FDA Proposed “Healthy” Rule

In an article penned by Roberta Wagner, vice president of regulatory and technical affairs, the Consumer Brands Association (Consumer Brands) has proposed that FDA pursue an alternate framework to its proposed “Healthy” label rule for foods.

Consumer Brands believes the proposed rule could cause confusion at the supermarket, with consumers second-guessing products that, under current standards, are considered healthy options — but may no longer meet the requirements to carry that label on the packaging. Consumer Brands says the new thresholds and calculations used to determine those figures are inconsistent with current dietary guidelines.

“As it stands, the proposed rule would eliminate an inordinate number of packaged products from being considered ‘healthy,’” Wagner writes. She adds that by Consumer Brands’ own analysis of the rule and investigation into how it would affect products demonstrated that the FDA’s proposed rule would disqualify nutrient-dense foods, including many whole-grain breads, breakfast bars, yogurts, cereals, canned fruit and vegetables and salad kits — despite the Dietary Guidelines encourage consumption of those items.

To see Consumer Brands’ alternative framework to FDA’s proposed rule, read Wagner’s full article on the Consumer Brands’ Web site.