IOM Criticizes Nutrition Rating Systems

Nutrition rating systems and symbols on the fronts of food packaging would be most useful to shoppers if they highlighted four nutrients of greatest concern: calories, saturated fat, trans fat and sodium, according to a new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM). These food components are routinely over-consumed and associated most strongly with diet-related health problems affecting many Americans, including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. Given the limited space on package fronts and the information already available in the Nutrition Facts panel on the backs of all products, it would not be crucial for these rating systems and symbols to focus on other components, such as cholesterol, fiber, added sugars or vitamins, concluded the committee that wrote the report.