Jack Gewert
Your body hosts a complex ecosystem of substances flowing through the oceans of your intestines and the rivers of your bloodstream. Much like a car engine, it performs at its best when fueled with high-quality nutrients.
There is a serious lack of information when it comes to what goes into food products in the United States. Knowing what's in their food is important to Americans, underscored by reports that 64% of people are willing to switch to brands that offer more extensive ingredient information. People are owed the right to honest food labeling so they can choose brands that offer healthy options.
Current efforts like QR codes and ambiguous ingredient labels fail to meet consumers' needs for accessibility and clarity. Requiring plain-text disclosures and stricter definitions of terms would address this issue, thus increasing transparency and promoting healthier eating choices.
Rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease continue to rise because of the public health crisis driven by innocent people who didn’t know any better because of the lack of and deceitful spirit of information. Policymakers can guarantee truthful and straightforward information from food companies by strengthening regulations and helping Americans make healthier choices, ultimately supporting public health.
The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA) was a key moment for labeling and nutrient content standards. However, as health standards have evolved, regulations have failed to keep up, leaving many products labeled under outdated NLEA terms. As a result of this failure to keep nutrient content claims up to par with current health standards, the obesity rate of American adults has almost tripled since 1990, further underscoring the need for updated policies.
The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) went into effect on January 1, 2020, with an implementation period of 2 years and mandatory full compliance by January 1, 2022. The mandating of the QR code was introduced to require bioengineered foods to be disclosed to consumers and enhance transparency, but it has proven ineffective. Surveys show that 54% of Americans know little about nutrition guidelines and fewer than 25% trust information about their food’s origins. The QR code approach falls short, with many consumers either unable to access it or are confused by the limited information provided.
While proponents argue that current policies enable helpful ingredient details, QR codes and vague terms like “bioengineered” or “natural flavors” do not bring clarity or trust to consumers. Such terms often obscure additives, allergens, or controversial substances, preventing fully informed decisions. Additionally, QR codes disadvantage those without internet access.
Stricter USDA and FDA regulations requiring plain-text ingredient descriptions, including all additives and GMOs, should replace QR codes. Clearer definitions of terms like “whole grain” or “natural” could curb misleading marketing. Although industry lobbying creates a barrier to change, raising awareness can push for transparency that supports both informed consumption and better public health.
This issue is currently overshadowed by other important issues that policymakers believe take precedence. But that is no excuse to turn a blind eye to abysmal food labeling policy. If policymakers continue to stall, food industry giants will continue to shrink consumers’ rights, and the rise of the percentage of chronically unhealthy Americans will continue to grow.
Thank you for highlighting this important public health issue.