Large food companies add new nutritional label

Several of the largest U.S. food and beverage makers have agreed to implement a new nutritional labeling system on their packages aimed at helping consumers pick healthier food choices. The new Smart Choices symbol was developed by the companies, scientists, health organizations and others over the past two years that wanted to come up with one standard to identify healthier foods. The Smart Choices symbol will be placed on the front of packages of foods that meet certain criteria and will contain two simple pieces of information: calories per serving and the number of servings in a package. To qualify for the Smart Choices symbol, foods would need to meet certain benchmarks in limiting items like total fat, trans fat, sodium and added sugars, while also containing beneficial items like fiber, calcium and certain vitamins. Among companies that will use the symbol are Coca-Cola Co, General Mills Inc, Kellogg Co, ConAgra Foods Inc, Kraft Foods Inc, PepsiCo Inc and Unilever, as well as retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The Smart Choices label will begin appearing on packages in the middle of 2009.

Steve - huh? Nutritional labeling system created by the companies that make the products? Isn't that convenient. I cannot wait to see what is considered a "Smart Choice."