Even with nutrition labels on food, it's sometimes a guessing game. How much is a serving? How many calories are you really eating? With two out of every three U.S. adults overweight or obese, the FDA thinks it's time to change nutrition labels.
Personal trainer Kate Galliett is always looking for ways to "pump" up her diet.
"It's really confusing and the supermarket is massive," she said.
When shopping, she not only looks at the back or the package, but the front too.
"That means that food maker is making a conscious effort to tell you what's going on inside the package, so it's the first thing I see," said Galliett.
To highlight good-for-you groceries, a growing number of manufacturers now use voluntary front of package labeling. Think of it as info-on-the-go.
"What they're really trying to do is to seize the attention of that shopper going up and down the aisle," said Jim Hertel, food industry analyst.
Right now, there are no federal guidelines for front of package labeling, but the FDA is developing a single set of criteria for retailers and manufacturers.
"We think that manufacturers will react very positively to one set of standards," said Hertel, food industry analyst.
The American Dietetic Association supports any effort to relay food data to shoppers, but says there is concern that front of pack labeling may prevent consumers from reading the complete nutrition facts panel.
"That's really the most important place to look for information about calories, sugar, fiber and other nutrients that weigh into how they should be making food decisions and what they should be eating day to day," said Elisa Zied, American Dietetic Association.
Kate says she always follows up with the facts on the back.
