New Food Labels Say ‘Eat Less’

Products with higher contents of fat, sugar and sodium will clearly state that they are for occasional use only.

Mars Foods, the maker of Dolmio pastas and Uncle Ben's, says some of its sauces will soon carry new labels. Maybe Uncle Ben will go casual, you’re probably thinking. Or perhaps the old Italian Dolmio cartoon character will be revised to be more of a Christopher Maltisanti type.

Actually, they’re going in a different direction. Mars says its newest labels will be designed to help consumers make more informed eating decisions when it comes to their heath.

For example, products with higher contents of fat, sugar and sodium will clearly state that they are for occasional use only. Those lower on the scale will receive “everyday” labels.

According to the AP, the company said it is holding itself to a higher standard, based on guidance from leading health authorities such as the World Health Organization. Mars Food plans to reduce sodium across its global product portfolio by an average of 20 percent by 2021 and added sugar in a limited number of sauces and light meals by 2018.

Though Mars is also well known for its chocolate products - such as M&Ms - the products are not part of the initiative as they are not considered to be food for a meal. 

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