WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 5, 2011 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has filed two sets of comments with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on proposed rules regarding nutrition labeling on menus and vending machines.
In the first set of comments on menu labeling at restaurants, ACS CAN commends the FDA’s proposed regulation as a significant step forward toward providing consumers with information that will help them make healthy food choices. ACS CAN encourages the FDA to strengthen the regulation even more by revising the definition of restaurants and similar retail food establishments covered by the law to include all venues that sell or serve restaurant or restaurant-type food.
A full copy of the comments on menu labeling at restaurants can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/pcY6Zh
In the second set of comments on calorie labeling of items in vending machines, ACS CAN largely supports the FDA’s proposed regulations and offers suggestions to maximize the impact of the rule, such as eliminating exemptions, requiring calorie information placement directly adjacent to each product and expediting the timeframe for implementation. With consumers spending up to five percent of their away-from-home food budget on vending machines, requiring such machines to display calorie information for items sold is an integral part of a comprehensive approach to addressing obesity and ultimately preventing future cancer deaths.
A full copy of the vending machine comments can be viewed by clicking here.
Nutrition and physical activity factors, including overweight and obesity, contribute to one third of all cancer deaths. As a result of this clear relationship diet and weight status have with certain types of cancer, ACS CAN supports providing consumers with nutrition information that will allow them to make informed decisions about the foods and beverages they consume and promote awareness for making healthy food and beverage choices.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Christina Saull
(202) 585-3250
[email protected]
Steven Weiss
(202) 661-5711
[email protected]