Global Front Of The Package Labeling

Consumers are bombarded by numerous unscientific or company-driven messages about what is a healthy food [SLIDE ON THIS] too many labels slide slide 12

Industry needs to improve the quality of its products—reducing key elements, focusing more on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, beans, and other healthy products

The scientific community knows we must reduce caloric intake, transfats, saturated fats, sodium, and added sugar from our diet while encouraging whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes

Front of the package labeling with simple symbols, calories per serving and number of servings is a way to facilitate all of the above

Barry Popkin has not worked on this activity for long. He began to observe the US Smart Choices effort and felt this was really far too dominated by special food industry efforts and scholars who worked for the food industry. As a result he did not get involved with this effort. However he joined the World Scientific Advisory Board of Choices International Foundation.

Barry Popkin is working closely with the Mexican government to create a government initiative supported by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and the Food Standards Agency, to create a Mexican Front of the Label system with guidelines appropriate for the needs of Mexico.