Statement of CSPI president Dr. Peter G. Lurie

One of the most important things that national governments could do to reduce the toll of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer, and other diet-related health problems would be to require front-of-package nutrition labeling on processed foods. Such systems could inform consumers at a glance whether a food meets their needs and would encourage companies to compete on the basis of nutrition. For instance, Chile’s front-of-package labeling spurred reformulation of many packaged foods as companies scrambled to avoid having to put “high in sodium” or “high in sugar” on packages.

If anything, our trade negotiations should foster and support that kind of public health advance. Yet the Trump administration seems to be trying to use trade negotiations with Mexico and Canada to block progress. 

We urge the Trump administration to accelerate progress on front-of-package labeling at home and to not undermine public health efforts around the world.

Topics