8 Fixes Nutritionists Want on Food Labels

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I, too, am concerned that the food allergen labeling did not come up in your article. Food allergies, unlike "ragweed, pollen, etc.) do not necessarily cause stuffy noses and watery eyes. This is a matter of life and death. Most of us don't have to think twice about what we put in our mouths. Food allergic individuals must be aware of every single product, every single bite, every single meal. Ingredients change, too, on a product that you have used for years. Constantly checking labels and being aware of the signs of a potential reaction are crucial. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network has made incredible strides in getting legislation passed to have the ingredients properly labeled - in words we all understand. FAAN also notifies via e-mail of any product re-call. Let's be concerned about the real issues here!

Louise Wagner of PA 3:49PM November 02, 2008

Alcoholic beverages are not currently labeled, and they should be. Beer, wine, and spirits are full of things you may not want in your diet. There should also be a clear label and standardized for the percentage of alcohol a product contains.
The alcohol-industry funded research frequently makes the news, and claims consumption of alcohol is "good for the health". But... Nobody ever dies due to lack of alcohol.
Also, non-beverage products that contain alcohol should me more clearly labeled.

A Patcher of DE 2:44PM November 02, 2008

kids have to start learning about what NUTRITION starting in K. I never gave my kids goodies as treats. when did they start getting all the junk, as soon as they started school. Things that really really matter to the health of the child should be taught as a real subject. If they learn how to read a label and what all those %'s mean they can carry this info thru out life and share it with the family. We have to teach them what junk food will do to their bodies, obesity, cholesteral, diabeties... Also schools must change their menus for real. I think if each school hires a nutrition minded chef it would be worth every penny. chefs take healthy food and know how to make food that kids will eat. it will lower health care costs and also open kids minds as to what is bad and what is good. Also cooking classes in midddle schhol and high school--they have been making the same junk forever, snickerdoodles, french toast...come on we have to get instruction out of the 40's and into the 21st century. the same thing goes for classes on the enviornment, but that is for another time!!!!!

janet of PA 2:34PM November 02, 2008

There is an entire list of ingredients that are actually hidden MSG. Why aren't these listed truthfully?

maggie of IL 2:26PM November 02, 2008

Wonderful article and all of the ideas are great. I especially agree with the "fruit" concept, so many people think that fruit snacks and juice boxes are healthy when in reality they are often made of very little fruit, and a lot of sugar.

Savory Tv of CO 9:30PM October 31, 2008

ITS A GOOD IDEA IF A LARGE MNC WANTS TO EXPAND THEIR SALES?THE FLY BY NIGHT OPERATORS AROUND THE WORLD WOULD CLOSE SHOP AND ALL THIS WILL BE GOOD FOR CONSUMERS.SOCIETY TOO WILL BENEFIT IF ENVOIRNMENTAL LABELS ARE ALSO INCLUDED.ANYTHING ELSE WHICH A LAYMAN DOES NOT UNDERSTAND CAN BE PROVIDED SO THAT THE CONSUMERS
CAN EASILY IDENTIFY WHAT THEY ARE BUYING.ITS ABOUT TIME TRANSPARENCY SETS IN AND BETWEEN WINNERS AND LOSERS.

MIKE. of 2:02AM October 28, 2008

my grand-daughter only coughs sometimes. after reading this article i wonder if she is allergic to a certain food or foods? do you have any suggestions on where i could look for this info?

julie dutter of SD 12:42PM October 26, 2008

I agree with the suggestions and concur with the allergy labeling. As a mother of 4 small girls and trying to keep the healthy-the most frustrating time is grocery shopping. The less than 2% trans fat quantity that is allowed to label a product as "NO TRANS FAT" is a joke! I feel that if there is any partially hydrogenated any oil-it should be in bold print. I don't want my kids eating any product that could potentially have trans fat!
I think high fructose corn syrup should also be bolded-

Misty of TX 11:45PM October 22, 2008

Knowing the origin of the food is important. I have read that much of our garlic comes from china? With recent news that sort of association should be known.

Daniel Dawley of OH 11:06PM October 22, 2008

msg is meat tenderiser. you cant tell
me that i need my stomach tenderised.
since i have had two resections it is
enough! thank you.
it is also used to make food taste better
is the food so lousy you wouldn't buy
it. so they use msg, salt,& sugars,
to upgrade the product to sell it.
I SAY THIS PURE GREED.

UREOLEDAD of TX 2:29PM October 22, 2008