Smart Choices on hold thanks to FDA

The Smart Choices program was founded by U.S. food manufacturers in an effort to help consumers make healthier food choices. Based on nutritional value, foods are marked with a Smart Choices label.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, has begun investigating the program. They are concerned that lax standards have led to the label being put on foods that are not healthy, but consumers will trust the logo and assume that they are. They plan to be stricter about inaccurate food labeling, which they let U.S. food manufacturers know in a letter.

The letter did not name any specific companies.

In addition, the FDA is concerned that there are too many different labeling systems. They suggest that there should be a national system that would make good nutrition choices, which would make healthy foods easily identifiable by all consumers.

Smart Choices board member Richard Kahn said the group supports the FDA's efforts.

Smart Choices is standing behind its use of the label, saying the program's criteria uses federal dietary guidelines as a basis. Kahn has stated that the group also gave the FDA information about the program in all stages of development.

The FDA is working on creating a nationwide standardized system to help consumers make informed decisions about healthy foods. U.S. food manufacturers are working with the FDA in this process.

Though the Smart Choices program is officially on hold, manufacturers who use the logo on their foods can continue to do so.

Written by Nicole Palmby