Effective Recall Management Only One Piece of the Consumer Protection Pie

By Mike Rozembajgier

While we often discuss the importance of effective recall management, our ultimate goal is always to help manufacturers and retailers protect consumers. With that in mind, I am pleased to say that I was present for an historic occasion during this year’s Food Marketing Institute Midwinter Executive Conference in Phoenix. The FMI and the Grocery Manufacturers Association announced the launch of their Nutrition Keys program, including voluntary labeling system that will give consumers important nutritional information on the front of the product’s package. This is an important move by the two food industry groups to help consumers make more informed choices in grocery store aisles.

Four basic icons will be used: calories, saturated fat, sodium and sugars. Other categories that might be included in the front-of-package labeling for some products include potassium, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, iron and protein. The new labels will be added to most product packages by the end of the year. This front-of-package system will not replace the detailed nutrition information that is already required for every product label.

The food industry should be commended for taking this step to help give consumers the information they need to protect themselves and fight obesity.

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