In response to an Oct. 20 open letter from FDA, the Smart Choices Program, Washington, D.C., announced that it will "voluntarily postpone active operations and not encourage wider use of the [Smart Choices] logo by either new or currently enrolled companies."

Introduced in August, the Smart Choices program was developed, in part, to respond to earlier governmental calls for more uniform, front-of-packaging labeling. It used a green check-mark label "to help shoppers easily identify smarter food and beverage choices." But when the logo appeared on Cocoa Krispies, Froot Loops and other products not known for their nutritional value, FDA decided to step in.

"We want to work with the food industry — retailers and manufacturers alike — as well as nutrition and design experts, and the Institute of Medicine,” FDA said, “to develop an optimal common approach to nutrition-related front-of-package and shelf labeling that all Americans can trust and use to build better diets and improve their health."

FDA also noted that its research indicated consumers are less likely to check the Nutrition Facts panel in the presence of front-of-package labeling.

"We welcome the FDA's interest in developing uniform front-of-package and shelf-labeling criteria," said Smart Choices Program Chair Mike Hughes, who also serves as vice president for science and public policy at the Keystone Center, Washington, D.C. "The Smart Choices Program shares that exact goal and was designed to provide a voluntary front-of-package labeling program that could promote informed food choices and help consumers construct healthier diets."

For more information about the Smart Choices Program, visit http://www.smartchoicesprogram.com. To read FDA's "Guidance for Industry," go to http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation.