Blumenthal and Booker Introduce Food Labeling Modernization Act

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Food Labeling Modernization Act to combat confusing and misleading information printed on food packages. Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). “Current food labels are a confusing maze designed to protect corporate profits over American families,” said Blumenthal. “Federal standards have not kept pace with the modern food industry. The Food Labeling Modernization Act will ensure serving sizes are updated, allergens are clearly labeled, and nutritional information is transparent, giving people the tools they need to make healthier choices and avoid misleading, deceptive pitches and promotion.” “For decades, food companies have gotten away with making junk foods seem healthier than they really are," said Booker . “This legislation will protect families from misleading labeling, helping them make informed decisions, eat healthier, and get more value from every dollar they spend on groceries.” Most food labeling requirements in the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act have not been updated in more than thirty-five years – and in some cases have not been changed since 1938. As a result, food labels often don’t provide the information that today's consumers need to evaluate and compare products. The Food Labeling Modernization Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a single, standard front-of-package nutrition labeling system in a timely manner for all food products required to bear nutrition labeling. The bill would also strengthen current law to address trends in marketing that confuse or mislead consumers when they are attempting to compare food products. This includes defining terms like “Ultraprocessed” and “Not Ultraprocessed.” The bill also ensures consumers have access to the same nutrition information when shopping for food online as they would in brick-and-mortar locations. Over the last few years, the Food and Drug Administration has moved to update requirements for food labels. The Food Labeling Modernization Act would build on that progress by ensuring consumers have access to easy-to-read and transparent information in order to make informed purchasing decisions. “Federal food labeling laws are not aligned with the transparency that Americans from across the political spectrum are demanding,” said Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) senior policy scientist Eva Greenthal. “It’s time for Congress to pass bold legislation that will give people the information they need to make healthy choices.” -30-