Last month, Coach Dean blogged about the Smart Choices program, which puts little green checkmark on "healthier" foods in the supermarket. Products like… Froot Loops, Cracker Jack and frozen meals that contain up to 25% of your daily sodium recommendation. Dean had doubts about the program, which is sponsored by a group of 10 major food producers, including Kellogg’s, General Mills, ConAgra Foods, Tyson Foods, and PepsiCo. As it turns out, he wasn't the only one. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is examining issues with the front-of-package labeling system, has halted the program, according to an Associated Press report. The FDA earlier this week released a plan calling for standards for front-of-package labels; the Smart Choices program responded on Friday, saying it would "voluntarily postpone active operations and not encourage wider use of the logo at this time by either new or currently enrolled companies." According to the program's website, the "Smart Choices Program was motivated by the need for a single, trusted and reliable front-of-pack nutrition labeling program that U.S. food manufacturers and retailers could voluntarily adopt to help guide consumers in making smarter food and beverage choices." What do you think about the Smart Choices program? Should it be pulled altogether or reinstated? Do you think it offers healthier choices, or do you think it is just a marketing tactic? |
More From SparkPeople |
.jpg)
