P. M. BRIEFING : FDA Asked to Act on Food Labeling

WASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Louis W. Sullivan said today he has asked the Food and Drug Administration to consider major changes in government food labeling standards.

The FDA is expected to propose a federal rule on the various aspects of food labeling early next year. The agency has long required labeling listing ingredients, net weight and nutritional information on foods.

Sullivan said there is no comprehensive, mandatory food labeling requirement for nutritional labeling for all foods, despite the government’s efforts to improve food labeling.

“Interest in food labeling has never been higher,” Sullivan said in a statement. “Food labeling bills have been introduced in Congress. Consumers are watching what they eat more closely.”