CLINTON WANTS LABELS FOR NUTRITION OF MEAT.

Byline: Laura Meckler Staff Writer

WASHINGTON - Whether it's a box of Wheaties or a package of hamburger meat, consumers should have easy access to nutritional information, President Clinton said Saturday. He proposed that the government require labels on meat and poultry for the first time.

Nutritional labels, required for processed food since 1994, tell shoppers just how much fat, cholesterol, calories and nutrients are in each serving.

``Providing citizens with accurate information that affects their lives is one of government's most vital responsibilities,'' Clinton said Saturday in his weekly radio address.

But information alone won't help, he said, ``Citizens have a responsibility to use that information wisely.''

Clinton also released updated nutritional guidelines that advise more exercise, safe handling of food and moderated sugar consumption. They also suggest that Americans pay attention to nutritional labels.

About six in 10 supermarkets post nutrition information near their meat cases, and some major meatpackers and poultry companies voluntarily put nutrition labels on packages.

Now, Clinton said, ``It's time we made it mandatory.''

``We wholeheartedly believe in the consumers being informed,'' said Mary Young, a nutritionist with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Nutrition information ``not only helps them understand lean cuts of meat but it also helps them understand that meat is packed with iron and zinc.''

The Agriculture Department will gather comments about the proposal, which could take effect by the end of the year but may stretch into 2001.

The government's new dietary guidelines for Americans, also released Saturday, are revised every five years to reflect new scientific research.

The 2000 version takes an upbeat approach - ``Eating is one of life's greatest pleasures,'' it says - and adds sections emphasizing the importance of whole grains, exercise and safe handling of food.

The USDA guidelines, contained in a 39-page booklet, largely followed recommendations of an advisory panel of 11 nutrition experts.

The administration bowed to criticism from the food and soft drink industry, however, and weakened recommendations for the section on sugar that urged consumers to ``limit'' consumption of sugary foods and beverages. The final version says consumers should ``moderate'' sugar intake and also deletes the panel's conclusion that Americans have been increasing their consumption of sugar.

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman defended the change, saying it makes the recommendations parallel with those that encourage ``moderate consumption'' of alcohol and fat.