"Food Makers Devise Own Label Plan"

"Starting in the next few months, the front of many food packages will prominently display important nutrition information, including calorie, fat and sugar content. The industrywide program was announced Monday by food makers and grocers.

The executives who made the announcement repeatedly invoked the campaign against obesity initiated by Michelle Obama, the first lady, saying they had developed the voluntary labeling plan after she challenged them to help consumers make more healthful food choices.

But in fact, the industry went its own way after months of talks with the White House and the Food and Drug Administration broke down."

William Neuman reports for the New York Times January 24, 2011.