Sugar Industry Livid Over New Label Regs

The new rule will require most food manufacturers to adhere to new label requirements by July 26, 2018. Manufacturers with less than $10 million in annual food sales will have an additional year to comply. In a press release announcing the change, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, M.D. said that it would “enable consumers to make more informed food choices – one of the most important steps a person can take to reduce the risk of heart disease and obesity.” The Grocery Manufacturers Association called the new requirements “timely,” but the Sugar Association saw “extraordinary contradictions and irregularities” and lack of “scientific justification.” The trade group is especially upset over having to reveal – in addition to total sugar – how much sugar has been added to a product.