The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has new guidelines for Nutrition Facts labels used in food and beverage packaging. These changes require labels to contain new scientific information. The goal is to assist consumers in making more informed choices.
These new requirements are important to know, especially if you offer food and beverage label manufacturing services and want to keep their product labels up to date.
What has changed in the Nutrition Label Requirements?
The look of the new label isn’t much different from its predecessor. However, the new Nutrition Label Requirements revise the layout and the information they contain. According to the FDA’s announcement, the most noteworthy changes between the two versions of the labels are as follows:
- Increased the type size for “Calories,” “Servings per container,” and the “Serving size” declaration. They now bold the number of calories and the “Serving size” declaration to emphasize this specific information.
- Changed the footnote to better explain what Percentage Daily Value means. It now reads: “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.”
- Now requires manufacturers to declare the actual amount, in addition to the Percent Daily Value of vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium.
- Have removed “Calories from Fat” because research has shown that the type of fat is more important than the amount.
- Have placed the “Added Sugars” declaration directly beneath the listing for “Total Sugars.”
The FDA has based serving sizes on the amounts of foods and beverages that people are actually eating, not what they should be eating.
Product Label Tips for Manufacturers
While it can be difficult, updating your labels can be easier with proper planning. Here are a couple of tips:
- Go with the flow: Updating labels with the new required Nutrition Facts can be the perfect opportunity to evaluate your current label design. Since you’re already updating, consider trying something new or making improvements.
- Mask old information with cover-up labels: Also known as “block out labels,” this unique material allows you to completely cover up the old Nutrition Facts while continuing to use the rest of your label inventory.
It is important to start thinking about updating your labels sooner rather than later. For expert help with compliance and design, contact United Label Corporation for a free estimate. We specialize in food and beverage label manufacturing services that keep your products both market-ready and FDA-compliant.