IOM Report Examining Front-of-package Nutrition Rating Systems and Symbols
In October 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on
Front-of-Package Nutrition Rating Systems and Symbols (front-of-package
or “FOP” labeling) issued a report examining the advantages and
disadvantages of current FOP labeling. The committee found that FOP
labeling would be most useful to consumers if it highlighted the amounts
of nutrients of greatest health concern -- calories, saturated fat,
trans fat and sodium. The report does not include recommendations for a
specific FOP system, but instead focuses on key features for such a
system with the aim of using FOP labeling to increase the focus on
nutrients of public health concern.
The report reaches six conclusions as follows.
1. FOP labeling is best geared toward the general population. The
committee concluded that this audience is appropriate because a majority
of the U.S. population is overweight or obese and, thus, at greater
risk for chronic diseases.