Food marketers looking to capitalize on the trend toward healthier foods might benefit from a rule change being considered by the Food and Drug Administration. The rule would allow marketers to use
the word "lean" on packaging for smaller products. Present rules say companies can't use the "lean" label on packaged sandwiches, pizzas, burritos, egg rolls and other "mixed dishes not measurable
with a cup" that weigh less than six ounces--unless those products contain seafood, meat or poultry. Nestle SA requested the change last year in a petition that said, "At no time have the benefits of
foods with controlled levels of fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol been more important, particularly when combined with the benefit of portion control." Only a small number of eligible products on
the market would be affected by the label change, but as a growing number of consumers are demanding meals on the go and heat-and-eat foods, a new label might encourage food makers to reformulate
existing products or develop new ones, particularly vegetarian recipes, the FDA said.
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