Based on feedback from people like you, who want to make informed choices when purchasing food, in May 2016 the FDA announced a plan to change how all foods are labelled by 2021. This is the first major change to food labels in 20 years!
How does this impact you? Well, you might have already noticed that the food labels on some products are starting to look different.
These changes are meant to provide you with the information you need to compare different products and make informed food choices.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the old and new nutrition facts table
Here’s what’s changing in the Nutrition Facts Table:
1. Serving Sizes: Serving sizes on similar foods will be more consistent. The font of serving sizes will be larger and bolder.
Why it matters: With more consistency, it’s easier to compare similar products. Sizes will be more realistic to reflect how much Americans typically eat in a sitting. Of course, this is meant to be a guide, and you may have different intake needs.
2. Calories: The calories will be in larger, bolder font.
Why it matters: The calories will be easier to find in the nutrition facts table
3. Percent Daily Value (%DV): Values will be revised using updated science and the footnote at the bottom of the nutrition facts table will be updated.
Why it matters: The new values will more accurately reflect the amounts Americans should be consuming daily. Remember, your individual needs may be different, so ensure you follow the guidance of your health professional. The footnote will help consumers understand what a high or low %DV of a nutrient indicates.
4. Fat: The amount of calories from fat will be removed.
Why it matters: Research shows that the type of fat is more important than the amount. Check out Mother Raw’s blog post on healthy fats to learn more!
5. Sugar: A separate line for ‘Added sugars’ will now be included.
Why it matters: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting calories from added sugars to less than 10% of total calories per day. Separating added sugars from total sugars will help you determine how much of the sugars in a food are added as opposed to naturally occurring such as those found in fruit. This will help Americans make more informed choices when purchasing foods.
6. Vitamin D and Potassium: Listing vitamin D and potassium will now be required.
Why it matters: Americans don’t always get the recommended amounts of these particular nutrients..
7. Vitamins and Minerals: The amounts of vitamins and minerals will now be listed in mg and %DV.
Why it matters: This will make all the nutrients listed on the table more consistent and make it easier for Americans who are taking supplements track how much of a nutrient they are consuming.
8. Vitamin A and C: Vitamin A and C will be removed from the table.
Why it matters: Deficiencies in these nutrients are rare.
Written By: Tracy On
Sources
- https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/whats-new-nutrition-facts-label
- https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/folate-and-folic-acid-nutrition-and-supplement-facts-labels
- https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/serving-size-new-nutrition-facts-label
- https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/calories-new-nutrition-facts-label
- https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/lows-and-highs-percent-daily-value-new-nutrition-facts-label
- https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/added-sugars-new-nutrition-facts-label