FDA Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label

FDA Docket No. FDA-2012-N-1210 – 21 CFR Part 101

May 20, 2016

Food nutrition panels have been the same for 20 years, however the gavel is down with the final ruling on July 26, 2016 with manufacturers of consumer goods having until July 26, 2018 to comply.

Some serving sizes will increase and others will decrease. Now, by law, food serving sizes must be based on the amounts of food and drink that people typically consume, not on how much they should consume. Recent food consumption data show that some serving sizes need to be revised.

As example, the reference amount used to set a serving of ice cream was previously ½ cup; now it will change. The reference amount used to set a serving size of soda was previously 8 ounces; now it will be 12 ounces. The reference amount for yogurt is decreasing from 8 ounces to 6 ounces. Nutrient information on the new label will be based on these updated serving sizes so that it more closely matches what people actually consume.

I see this as a welcome and much overdue change. When is the last time you and three other people were totally satisfied eating only one single serving in a pint of ice cream? Now, manufacturers of certain products will have to provide “dual column” labels to indicate the amount of calories and nutrients on both a “per serving” and “per package”/“per unit” basis.

As example, a 24-ounce bottle of soda or a pint of ice cream would need this “dual column” label. With dual-column labels available, people will be able to easily understand how many calories and nutrients they are getting if they eat or drink the entire package/unit at one time.

FDA Link on the details.

Contact Darryl he can guide you through the new label law requirements.