Nutrition labels could be mandated on package fronts

The FDA is seeking to establish universal guidelines for how health information is displayed on product packages. The agency would like to eliminate all self-labeling, or labels that indicate that a product is a "healthy choice" or that it benefits "heart health".

Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Kathleen Sebelius prefers that all labeling have a "scientific background" and should be tested through an "evidence-based approach." Therefore her agency made recommendations to the FDA that a "national standard" be developed to accommodate such an approach.