Food Labeling: The FDA’s Role in the Selection of Healthy Foods

Two thirds of U.S. adults are overweight, and childhood obesity and diabetes are on the rise. To reverse these health problems, experts are urging Americans to eat healthier. Food labels contain information to help consumers who want to make healthy food choices. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees federal labelling rules for 80 percent of foods. This book explores Food Labelling in the U.S., wherein the FDA needs to better leverage resources, improve oversight and effectively use available data to help consumers select healthy foods. FDA’s oversight and enforcement efforts have not kept pace with the growing number of food firms. As a result, FDA has little assurance that companies comply with food labelling laws and regulations for, among other things, preventing false or misleading labelling. FDA has reported that limited resources and authorities challenge its efforts to carry out its food safety responsibilities – these challenges also impact efforts to oversee food labelling laws. As discussed in this book, the FDA’s Food Protection Plan cites the need for authority to, among other things, collect a re-inspection user fee, accredit third-party inspectors, and require recalls when voluntary recalls are not effective.