Reps. Schiff, DeLauro and Other Members Support New FDA Proposal to Require Daily Reference Value for Added Sugars on Nutritional Facts Labeling

Statement

Today, Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) joined with a number of congressional colleagues in writing a letter to Acting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Stephen Ostroff in support of the supplemental proposed rule for the Nutrition Facts Label, which would require listing a daily reference value (DRV) for added sugars. In March 2014, the FDA issued a proposed rule which would require "added sugars" be listed on the Nutrition Facts labels, rather than just "sugars." However, unlike fat, sodium, protein, and other nutritional categories on the label, there was no DRV required for the added sugars category. In July, after the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report was released and recommended a daily limit for added sugars, the FDA issued a supplemental proposed rule for the Nutrition Facts label. This supplemental proposal would require a DRV for added sugars, which would be based on the recommendation that the daily intake of calories from added sugars not exceed 10% of total calories.

Schiff stated: "By labeling added sugars to food labeling, American consumers and parents will be able to make informed decisions about the food they eat and feed their families, and help fight chronic disease including obesity, diabetes, liver disease, and heart disease, among other health issues."

"Specifying a Daily Value for added sugar will move us further forward in assisting people in making healthier choices," DeLauro said. "Providing needed context for an acceptable intake of added sugars will make it clear to consumers that added sugars should be limited. This will, in turn, help us combat the alarming obesity and diabetes epidemics that our country faces."

Reps. Schiff and DeLauro were joined in the letter by Reps. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), John Conyers (D-MI), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Judy Chu (D-CA) and Susan Davis (D-CA).

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