More Changes to Food Labels?

According to a recent survey conducted by the International Food Information Council (IFIC), more Americans want additional information on food labels. The IFIC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that communicates science-based information about food safety and nutrition to health professionals, government officials, and consumers.

The “Consumer Perceptions of Food Technology” survey shows that 24% percent of respondents said they would prefer more information on labels, including data on nutrition, ingredients, and potential allergens and their side effects. That’s up from 18% in a 2010 survey of consumer perceptions of food technology.

Considering the recent Mad Cow scare, and the almost-weekly reports of “pink slime”, “meat glue”, and other unappealing ingredients that wind up in processed food, it’s no wonder that people want to know more about what’s in their food, and if it’s safe to eat. In response to the rising concerns regarding food nutrition and safety, the USDA in now providing in-store nutrition information for food safety and inspection on ground meat and poultry. The mandatory labeling and signs give consumers nutritional data, and also information on safe food preparation and storage.

For more information about the IFIC, and to see the results of their survey, you can download their findings in PDF form. The survey provides data on “public awareness and perceptions of various aspects of plant and animal biotechnology, measures confidence in the safety of the U.S. food supply, and attitudes toward food labeling.”

Do you need better labeling for your food products? Contact us at (800) 325-5260 and see how we can help you get the labels you need to comply with USDA regulations.