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How did the implementation of nutrition labels on food products affect consumer food choices?
Nutrition labeling affected the way consumers thought about, consumed, and purchased food. It was an informational resource to promote a healthy and safe diet through the regulations and laws passed. American's diets changed and continue to adapt as the nutrition label information changes and adapts to support consumers. It is an ideal way for consumers to be knowledgable about the food they are consuming on a daily basis and how it represents the needs each person may have. -
1906: The Pure Food and Drug Act
The Pure Food and Drug act was introduced and passed in 1906. This act was inspired by Uptin Sinclair's novel, "The Jungle". This novel revealed truths about sanitization and cleanliness about the food industry in the United States during this time. This act was then passed that "prohibited the sale of misbranded or adulterated food and drugs in interstate commerce and laid a foundation for the nation’s first consumer protection agency, the FDA" (The Pure Food and Drug Act). The FDA was born. -
1913: The Gould Amendment
The Gould amendment modified the 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act by ruling that all contents within the food item must be marked on the outside of the package. After this amendment was passed, public consumption of food changed drastically because consumers could now see exactly what they were eatings. Americans started to eat safer and cleaner. -
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1938-1969: The Interest of Consumers
Throughout 1938 to 1969, there were a handful of acts and modifications passed targeted towards the interest and well being of consumers. In 1938, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act required any artificial coloring or chemicals to be listed on packaging. In 1962, Kennedy passed the Consumer Bill of Rights. In 1967, the FPLA required all ingredients to be listed in descending order of what was in the product. In 1969, the White House held a conference to enhance the focus on nutrition in food. -
1990: Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990
The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act forced each food item to have nutritional information such as: serving size, serving amount, calories per serving, macronutrient amounts, and vitamins. This act was passed in order to prevent misbranding and misleading information. All of the ingredients, like allergy concerns were forced to be listed. This would make people more aware of the food being picked out at a store, as well as the nutrients, vitamins, and ingredients being put into their body. -
2004: Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004
In 2004, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act stated and recognized eight foods as major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. Since then, sesame has also been added to that list. This act requires that foods have specifically labeled that it contains a major food allergen. It also required labeled foods to be branded with may contain a certain food allergen in the chance of cross contamination. -
2020: New Nutrition Label in Affect
In May of 2016, the FDA proposed changes due to advancements in nutrition science. These changes to the label include: added sugars, larger and bolder fonts, updates on daily values and nutrients, and a new footnote. The label is deemed to be more realistic based on what people eat today. The added sugars and nutrients label in particular is for people with chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and obesity. The adjustments to this label help consumers make informed decisions.