As consumers are more conscious of what’s in their food than ever before, companies are making strides to improve nutrition labels.

Now, Mars, Inc. has taken the initiative by endorsing the world’s leading health authorities in their efforts to make the public more aware of their daily sugar intake — a recommended maximum 10 percent of total calorie intake. These authorities include the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, and the UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.

Mars has also given support for a new U.S. government proposal to include an “added sugars” declaration in the Nutrition Facts panel on all food packaging.

“Added sugars” are sugars and syrups added to foods to improve sweetness, structure, texture, and shelf-life. These differ from sugars that are inherent to foods, such as lactose in dairy, or fructose and glucose in bananas.

“We want people to enjoy Mars brands as part of a well-balanced diet,” says Dave Crean, global head of research & development at Mars, Inc. “In the U.S., we have a further opportunity to help people achieve their dietary goals by supporting the government’s proposal to include added sugars in the Nutrition Facts panel. It just makes good sense.”

Going forward, Mars will:

• New Labels: Support new labeling approaches (on pack and digital), where such approaches are supported by a coalition of science and nutrition experts, regulators, retailers, industry leaders, and NGOs
• Lower Calories: Increase the number of our chocolate confections below 200 cal per pack
• Improve Portfolio: Continue its efforts to improve the nutritional composition of our product portfolio
• Gum's Benefits: Promote the oral health benefits of sugar-free gum

Mars currently:

• Includes Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) labeling on all chocolate, food, and sugar  confectionery products
• Limits its confectionery products to no more than 250 kcal per serving
• Offers a wide array of sugar-free and low-sugar Wrigley gum products
• Has reformulated products to eliminate trans fatty acids
• Has reduced salt and saturated fats in its product portfolio
• Adheres to strict Marketing Code that does not allow marketing communications to children under 12 for food, chocolate, confections, and gum products

To learn more about the company’s efforts to support dietary and oral health, visit Mars’ website.