Michelle Obama, FDA propose changes to Nutrition Facts food label

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- First lady Michelle Obama Thursday announced proposed changes to food labels, including information on added sugars, to help U.S. families eat healthier.

The proposed revisions to the Nutrition Facts label support Obama's Let's Move! program in its efforts to help parents make healthier choices for their families, the White House said in a release.

"Our guiding principle here is very simple: That you as a parent and a consumer should be able to walk into your local grocery store, pick up an item off the shelf, and be able to tell whether it's good for your family," the first lady said. "So this is a big deal, and it's going to make a big difference for families all across this country."

Among the proposed changes are required information about the amount of "added sugars" in a food product, as well as updated serving size requirements based on how much Americans actually eat, and a new format that emphasizes certain elements, such as calories, serving sizes and Percent Daily Value.

"For 20 years consumers have come to rely on the iconic nutrition label to help them make healthier food choices," Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said. "To remain relevant, the FDA's newly proposed Nutrition Facts label incorporates the latest in nutrition science as more has been learned about the connection between what we eat and the development of serious chronic diseases impacting millions of Americans."