Chicago-based FoodMinds has developed the Food Label Compass to help marketers deal with the Food & Drug Administration’s impending overhaul of nutrition labeling.

Bill Layden, co-founder and partner, sees a robust demand for its FLC as many food companies lack the internal savvy required to handle the complex FDA process.

Since the FDA nutrition guidelines are 20 years old, many companies need to be educated about how the process plays out, Layden told O’Dwyer’s.

FoodMinds partnered with Nutritional Impact, consulting firm that analyzes dietary intake trends and develops science-based messages for clients, and EAS Consulting Group, a regulatory consulting company, for the creation of the FLC.

The FLC will analyze food and nutriental content of a brand relative to the new FDA rules, develop labels modified to comply with the updated requirements and forge PR programs to ensure bands are used in the way that is intended.

The FDA may make an official announcement about the change in food labeling by the end of the year.

FoodMinds recruited Robert Post, USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion associate executive director, last month as its first chief science officer.

He will lead the soon-to-be-opened Washington office with Foodminds co-founder and partner Susan Pitman.