More Nutrition Information Systems Hit the Shelves—Do They Work?

Very thorough article, it's very informative and well written.

(Just one note prior to commencing, in the spririt of full disclosure, I am a representative of Foodessentials.com)

I would like to add another point to the duscussion that I feel is missing; are rating systems, as a group, the best and only solution for simplifying label data?.

Most rating systems do a great job at presenting and simplifying certain label information but are somewhat limited in that they only represent a particular aspect of the label data and do not consider the consumers specific needs. In this day and age of dietary choice everyone has their own unique specific needs and in a single family there can be several specific needs. But as a first step in the right direction label rating systems generally perform.

I believe that the future of food label comparison lies in a customized system that helps to find foods that suit one's specific dietary needs. At FoodEssentials.com, we work with retailers to provide their customers with the ability to instantly compare food labels by any ingredient, additive, allergen, or nutrient condition.

The first generation of our tools help users to search and compare food labels, but future tools will aim to further simplify the label reading process - automatically matching products to one's specific dietary profile.

The key here is that it is important to have many different solutions competing to help the consumer. The more competition, the more quickly we will arrive at a balanced and sustainable solution that best reflects the needs of the consumer.

Label rating solutions are a great first step, but I believe the future in this space lies in customized & personal solutions.

Anton Xavier

FoodEssentials.com

Anton Xavier of IL 3:04AM September 05, 2009

My guidance:

<<

OPTIMAL NUTRITION FOR BEST HEALTH:

A Plant-Based, Whole-Foods Diet --

centered on starchy plant foods (for enough carb calories)

and green and yellow veggies, and some fruits, with no processed oils"

gives the optimal nutrition for humans since we are designed mainly as plant-eaters.

That means avoid/minimize all animal foods, including all meats, poultry, all dairy,

all seafoods, and eggs. Avoid/minimize processed foods, including fats/oils

and refined carbs (such as white flour).

Go to   http://www.drmcdougall.com

to get the education and guidance based on the evidence!

McDougall Program & Dr. McDougall's Health and Medical Center

My personal Healthy Lifestyle website is

http://homepage.mac.com/maule5662h Nutrition-Health Files June '08

>>

As Pritikin Longevity Institute Director of Nutrition - Jeff Novick, RD -- sums it up -- "If it has a label on it, I put it back on the shelf!"

Bill Kleinbauer of CA 3:28PM August 31, 2009