Senate Approves New Label Rules for Food Content

The Senate on Wednesday approved a bill designed to let consumers know what is in their food.

The legislation would require manufacturers to list on labels the amounts of nutrients, calories, fat and salt for most packaged foods. Claims such as “low salt” and “light” would be clearly defined and disease prevention claims would need government approval.

The bill, passed unanimously, will go back to the House, which is expected to accept the changes.

The Bush Administration has proposed food labeling regulations similar to the legislation. Because the Administration says the matter can be handled with regulations, it has opposed the bill. However, no veto has been threatened.