New Nutrition Facts Label
The Nutrition Facts label was first introduced 20 years ago to aid consumers in healthy food decisions. The last major changes were completed in 1994. The FDA has recently announced a considerable amount of modifications that will be be required by all food manufacturers. The deadline for these changes is July 26, 2018.
NEW FDA NUTRITION LABEL INFOGRAPHIC
HOW IS THE NUTRITION FACTS LABEL CHANGING?
An increase type size for “Calories”, “servings per container” and the “Serving size”
statement. The FDA also bolded the Calories and “Serving size” statement to draw the attention of the consumers
Adjustment in footnote to enhance the definition of a percent Daily Value. The footnote will now state, “*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.”
“Added sugars” will be included on the label. This will be shown as grams and as the percent Daily Value. The placement of “added sugars” will be under the “Total Sugars” on the Nutrition Facts Panel.
Vitamins A and C are now no longer required to be placed on the nutrition label.
Vitamin D and potassium are now required.
The Daily values (DVs) have been updated for fiber, sodium, and vitamin D (1).
“Calories from Fat” is removed. Research has been shown that the amount of fat is not as important than the type of fat. Despite avid demands to remove the trans-fat declaration, the FDA has decided not to grant this request (2).
ADDITIONAL CHANGES TO SERVING SIZES, LABELS, AND MORE
Serving sizes must be based on the quantity of food and beverages that people are actually consuming, and not what people should be consuming. In the previous Nutrition Facts Panel, a ½ cups of ice cream was the serving size. Now, the serving size for ice cream has changed to 2/3 cups. However, not all serving sizes are increasing. For example, the serving size for yogurt is 8 ounces, but Americans commonly eat yogurt in the six-ounce portion cups. So the yogurt serving size will be decreased to 6 ounces.
The “dual column labels” have been placed for products that can be consumed all at once or various times. For example, in a one pint of ice cream the new label will have two columns. One column will provide the nutrition facts if someone were to eat the whole pint of ice cream at once, this will be labeled as the “per package” column. The other section will provide the the nutrition information if someone were to eat the ice cream over a number of sittings. This column reflects the amount “per serving” (1).
In the previous label, a footnote was required to enter the reference values for a 2,000 and 2,5000 calorie diet. This is no longer an obligation.
FDA REQUIREMENTS
Food and beverage manufacturers are now required to maintain analytical records to prove the analytical claims that they are putting on the label. These are specified records are required for dietary fiber, added sugars, and folic acid in foods. The records must be saved for two years. This rule also applies to to foods that contain added sugars. Manufacturers must keep records of foods that contain added sugar that are exposed to fermentation and nonenzymatic browning.
PURPOSE OF CHANGES TO THE NUTRITION FACTS LABEL
The FDA’s purpose of these changes on the labels is to make it is easier for the consumers to understand and decide on better nutritional food selections. The FDA hopes that because of these changes Americans will make healthier food and beverage choices (2).
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Citations
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2016, May 20). Retrieved June 07, 2016, from http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm385663.htm#images
- Food Labeling: Revision of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels. (2016, May 27). The Daily Journal of the United States Government, 33741–33999. Retrieved June 7, 2016, from https://federalregister.gov/a/2016-11867
Originally published at blog.watson-inc.com.
