Blumenthal Statement on Administration's New Dietary Guidelines

(Hartford, CT) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which includes a reduction in the recommended amount of daily sugar intake.

“Today’s science-based recommendations to reduce intake of added sugars are a critical step in the fight against obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease – all of which are ravaging our country. Knowing the dangers of added sugars is key to stemming diet-related diseases and fostering a healthier generation of Americans. I urge the FDA to incorporate this new guidance on added sugars into its final rule updating the Nutrition Facts label. A percent daily value for added sugar on the Nutrition Facts label will help Americans realize how many empty calories they are eating and will empower them to make smarter, healthier decisions about the food they eat. This guidance should also be a wakeup call to food manufacturers that marketing sugary food and beverages to children is unacceptable.”

In 2014, Blumenthal and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to seek stronger improvements to antiquated nutrition labeling requirements, including the addition of a percent daily value for added sugars. Last year, Blumenthal introduced the Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2015 to empower consumers to make smart eating choices by minimizing confusing and misleading information that consumers encounter on food packages.‎ This bill would require percent daily values for added sugars to be added on the Nutrition Facts label and prohibit food manufacturers from making health claims if a product contains too much sugar.

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