Nutrition rating systems and their accompanying symbols are intended to help consumers make healthy choices, but shoppers may be confused by the variety of symbols that have proliferated in recent years. Moreover, different rating systems focus on different nutrients, and questions have been raised about the nutritional criteria underlying these systems. Front-of-Package Nutrition Rating Systems and Symbols: Phase 1 Report presents the preliminary findings of an Institute of Medicine committee's review of these nutrition information tools. and focuses on the criteria behind rating systems and nutrients of greatest concern. The report will be released on Wednesday, Oct. 13.

DETAILS:

A telephone briefing will start at 11 a.m. EDT on Oct. 13. To obtain dial-in information, reporters should contact the Office of News and Public Information; tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail news@nas.edu. Participating from the committee that wrote the report are:

• Ellen A. Wartella (chair), Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor of Communication, professor of psychology, and director, Center on Media and Human Development, School of Communication, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.

• Alice H. Lichtenstein (vice chair), Stanley N. Gershoff Professor of Nutrition Science and Policy, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston

• Tracy A. Fox, nutrition consultant and president, Food, Nutrition, and Policy Consultants LLC, Washington, D.C.

• Frances H. Seligson, consultant, Hershey, Pa.

• Mary T. Story, professor, division of epidemiology and community health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

• Virginia Wilkening, former deputy director, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Md.