The National Confectioners Association (NCA), which represents more than 400 candymakers, is sour over the Food and Drug Administration's recent initiative to create a regulated front-of-package (FOP) labeling system for all packaged foods. This would provide customers with a ranking system on foods' nutritional content and calorie information on the front of packages.

The NCA claims a labeling system would give the impression that some foods are "good" and others "bad," and all customers need is calorie content information.

But a calorie label is not nearly enough. Americans need much more help in deciding what foods are healthy. FDA regulations would allow consumers to clearly understand the nutritional make-up of the foods they purchase, especially of foods like candy.

Send a letter asking the NCA to reverse its stance and support the creation of the FDA’s regulated labeling system with a scale or rating, not just calorie information. These new labels are one of the best ways the government and food manufacturers can protect consumers' health and well-being.