Food Packaging: Results and More Thoughts
January 10, 2008 by Liberty Kontranowski
Filed under Diets and Dieting, Food and Drink, Health, Nutrition, Prevention, Snacking, Weight Loss, Your Body
A week ago we asked if you thought food packaging should be more black and white. Honestly, I expected more of you to be quite passionate about this, particularly at the beginning of the New Year when so many of us are embarking down Diet and Exercise Lane. So to those of you who’ve already spoken up, thanks for your input. And if you haven’t weighed in yet, please go for it. We’d love your take.
As promised, here are the results of the Shape.com reader poll:
74% said YES, a food’s packaging should clearly state whether it meets healthy guidelines. Their reasons ranged from general consumer interest of what we’re putting in our bodies, to the fact that healthy food can be costly and we should be assured we’re getting our money’s worth, to being a real time-saver by taking the guesswork out of label-reading.
As for the 26% that said NO, some attest that people will buy the products they want regardless of the packaging and that labels would need constant updating due to ever-changing standards. Still others said that the time and energy spent on the packaging initiative would be better utilized teaching healthy eating habits and that what constitutes “healthy” for one person, might not be right for others.
All great points, aren’t they?
Here’s where I stand. As for a blanket “Healthy” or “Not Healthy” stamp or sticker, I just don’t believe that would work. What I would love to see is some sort of Cliff’s Notes on the package’s label, such as a plus sign (+) if, say, the fiber content of the item is adequate for that serving size according to the RDA. Right now we get percentages, but many consumers just don’t understand how to apply the meaning of those percentages to their daily diets. A simple (+) for each “approved” line item might do the trick.
On another note, I do find it encouraging that my first-grader can tell me where different items belong on the food pyramid and I like that his school lunch menus seem both well-balanced and tasty. It seems like we’re on the right track educating our youth…but perhaps it’s the grown-ups that need a little help. 
