New Food Nutrition Symbol: What Will It Look Like?

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(Image credit: Karl Tate, MyHealthNewsDaily Infographic Artist)

The barrage of symbols and health claims on food these days may leave consumers confused about which products are truly good for them. A new symbol would simplify things, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) says.

In a report today (Oct 20) the IOM recommended a single symbol, displayed on the front of packages , that would contain two pieces of information: the number of calories per serving, and a score that rates products based on their nutritional content.

Foods with high amounts of unhealthy nutrients, such as added sugar and sodium, would earn fewer points. The symbols should be found in the same location on all food products.

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Karl Tate
LiveScience Infographic Artist
Karl has been Purch's infographics specialist across all editorial properties since 2010.  Before joining Purch, Karl spent 11 years at the New York headquarters of The Associated Press, creating news graphics for use around the world in newspapers and on the web.  He has a degree in graphic design from Louisiana State University.