• January 11, 2007

This afternoon, the federal government, the food and beverage industry and retailers will unveil "Take a Peak," a national campaign to promote the federal government's dietary advice. An in-store promotional campaign will use product labeling to "help consumers incorporate U.S. dietary guidelines and MyPyramid Advice into their daily diets."

The move comes three days after British food makers and sellers launched a campaign to promote their own version of food labeling in their battle with that government, which sought to label comestibles red, yellow or green, according to levels of fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt in processed foods.

"They're really serious in Britain," said Marion Nestle, a New York University nutrition professor. "They look at us, and they're worried that they're going to produce a generation of fat kids." Nestle said the new effort has "nothing to do with changing the environment to make it easier to make healthy choices," she said.

"Take a Peak" apparently refers to the shape of the food pyramid.

--Nina M. Lentini