If we label items like cleaning products and nail polish remover that will be harmful when ingested, why don't we label foods that can cause serious or even fatal illnesses? Every day, thousands of adults and children are diagnosed with debilitating illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, and these rates are rapidly increasing. Many of these permanent deficiencies are directly linked to the diets we adhere to as a society. Foods containing GMOs, hydrogenated oils, artificial sugars (aspartame), high fructose corn syrup and monosodium glutamate must be clearly labeled on the front of their package for consumer recognition. Every day, millions of people browse grocery stores to buy. food for their families, completely unaware of what they are buying. An FDA consumer study of food labels found that only a small percentage of people actually read food labels and understand what they mean, except for calories and fat; the ingredients are another story. “According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, approximately 61.5 percent reported using the nutrition data panel when deciding to purchase food. Fewer people were paying attention to the ingredient list” (CNN Health). The FDA understands that labeling could help reverse accelerating heart disease and obesity, but labeling doesn't help people read ingredients if they don't understand the aliases and vitamins. “Surveys also revealed frequent misunderstandings about the meaning of the daily/value column that shows how each nutrient fits into a healthy diet” (American Journal of Nutrition, WEB). Many harmful ingredients are secretly hidden in labels and people skim through the middle of paper....../08/070823094819.htm>.March 7, 2014Harvard School of Public Health “Spotlighting trans fats.” Source Harvard Nutrition, nd http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/transfats/ March 7, 2014 Mayo Clinic. “What is MSG?” Is it bad for you? Health and Nutrition, Monosodium GlutamateKatherine Zeratsky, RD, LD April 3, 2012. http://www.mayoclinic.org/monosodium-glutamate/expert-answers/faq-20058196 March 7, 2014Center for Food Safety. “New peer-reviewed study of genetically modified pig feed finds adverse effects. » NP, June 11, 2013 http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/press-releases/2291/new-peer-reviewed-study-on-gmo-pig-feed-reveals-adverse-effects# March 7, 2014 American Cancer Society. “Aspartame. What is aspartame?” Learn more about cancer and carcinogens. NP February 17, 2011 http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/aspartame 7 March 2014