AMA advocates for transparency in food labeling and packaging

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md — The American Medical Association (AMA) adopted new policy today aimed at increasing consumer awareness of the amount of added sugars, as well as the type of allergens, in food products. Specifically, the AMA is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop front-of-package warning labels for foods that are high in added sugars based on the established recommended daily value. The policy also encourages the FDA to limit the amount of added sugars allowed to be included in food products which also make claims about health or nutrient content on the front of their packages.

Many front-of-package food labels that make health claims about a particular nutrient are often placed on products that contain added sugars that are above the daily recommended value as outlined in the 2015-2020 U.S. Dietary Guidelines. These nutrient claims can lead consumers to think a product is healthy despite the product’s level of added sugar.