AR140

An Assembly Resolution urging the United States Food and Drug Administration to develop a standardized front of package food labeling system.

Whereas, Proper nutrition is vital in maintaining a person’s health and longevity; and

Whereas, People with healthy eating habits tend to live longer and are at a reduced risk for significant health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity; and

Whereas, In addition, healthy eating habits can help people who suffer from chronic diseases manage their symptoms; and

Whereas, Food labels that include nutrition facts help consumers make healthier food choices; and

Whereas, However, the nutrition facts located on the back of food packaging are often difficult for the average consumer to understand; and

Whereas, Moreover, placing nutrition facts on the back of food packaging makes it more likely that a busy consumer will overlook them; and

Whereas, Front-of-pack (FOP) labels that include reference intake labeling and multiple traffic light labeling provide an easy-to-understand addition to the current nutrition facts on the back of food packaging; and

Whereas, Reference intake labels indicate how many calories and how much sugar, fat, saturated fat, and salt is in each portion of a packaged food item and include what each amount represents as a percentage of an average person’s daily dietary needs; and

Whereas, Multiple traffic light labels utilize a simple color scheme to provide relative levels of total fat, saturated fat, sugar, and salt in packaged food products, with green indicating a low level, amber a moderate level, and red a high level; and

Whereas, Accordingly, FOP nutrition labels that include reference intake labeling and multiple traffic light labeling help consumers make healthier food choices by providing uncomplicated information that is placed in an easily observable location; and

Whereas, As it is in the best interest of the people of this State and this nation to improve nutritional literacy and empower the consumer to make informed and healthy choices about the foods they eat, it is imperative that the Food and Drug Administration develop and implement a standardized FOP food labeling system that includes reference intake labeling and multiple traffic light labeling; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The General Assembly of the State of New Jersey respectfully urges the United States Food and Drug Administration to develop a standardized front of package food labeling system that includes reference intake labeling and multiple traffic light labeling.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Commissioner of the United States Food and Drug Administration.

STATEMENT

This Assembly resolution respectfully urges the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop a standardized front of package (FOP) labeling system that includes reference intake labeling and multiple traffic light labeling.

Proper nutrition is vital in maintaining a person’s health and longevity. Food labels that include nutrition facts help consumers make healthier food choices. However, the nutrition facts located on the back of food packaging are often difficult for the average consumer to understand and make it more likely that a busy consumer will overlook them.

FOP labels that include reference intake labeling and multiple traffic light labeling provide an easy-to-understand addition to the current nutrition facts on the back of food packaging. Reference intake labels indicate how many calories and how much sugar, fat, saturated fat, and salt is in each portion of a packaged food item and includes what each amount represents as a percentage of an average person’s daily dietary needs. Multiple traffic light labels utilize a simple color scheme to provide relative levels of total fat, saturated fat, sugar, and salt in packaged food products, with green indicating a low level, amber a moderate level, and red a high level. Accordingly, FOP nutrition labels that include reference intake labeling and multiple traffic light labeling help consumers make healthier food choices by providing uncomplicated information that is placed in an easily observable location.