Implication for Diabetes Education and Care

O n 8 November 1990, President Bush signed into law the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA, P.L. 101-535). Sections of this act amend the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 and include the most comprehensive changes in food labeling proposed in > 50 yr. Although still in tentative form, the proposed changes to the code of federal regulations is a significant development for dietitians, nurse educators, physicians, and other professionals providing nutrition education to people with diabetes. When implemented, the labeling will have a far-reaching impact on food choices, nutrition knowledge, and healthful nutrition practices. The regulations should clarify many of the common misunderstandings people with diabetes have about nutrient content claims. The proposals require that nutrition information on both food labels and restaurant menus be readily understandable by the public. They also extend the coverage of nutrition labeling to nearly all food products, change the priorities of the nutrition label, produce more ingredient labeling, standardize serving sizes and nutrient content claims, and regulate health claims. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates almost all food products and the ingredients that are added to foods, meat and poultry are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS). Meat and poultry were exempted from the NLEA, but the FSIS is also issuing labeling proposals for meat and poultry. FSIS and FDA are working together to harmonize their proposals as much as possible. The NLEA set a specific timetable for implementation of food labeling changes. FDA was required to issue proposed regulations to implement the act within 12 mo (November 1991) and to issue final regulations within 24 mo (November 1992). Final rules based on these proposals and feedback will become effective 6 mo after their final publication (approximately May 1993).