In response to the FDA’s update announcement on March 1, Jim O’Hara, the special projects director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, stated that the guidance concerning dietary fibers, added sugars, and serving sizes “should prompt the agency to reconsider its proposed delay of the revised Nutritional Facts label.” Initially, the FDA set a deadline of July 26, 2018, for the implementation of the new label. However, last June, the agency announced a postponement until 2020 and 2021, citing concerns from certain manufacturers and trade associations regarding the timing of the required GMO ingredient labeling. Now that further FDA guidance is available, O’Hara remarked that a compliance deadline of July 2019 for both small and large companies appears realistic and achievable.
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb did not address the compliance deadline issue last week, but he did mention that a final rule would be issued this spring. He also indicated that the FDA would unveil a nutrition strategy in the coming weeks aimed at “reducing preventable death and disease through better nutrition.” Many food and beverage companies, including Hershey, Campbell, and Mondelez, have anticipated these changes and are already incorporating the new Nutritional Facts labels on their products. Companies eager to stay ahead of these regulations will likely begin implementing as much of the new guidance as possible, as costs are expected to rise with further delays.
The updated Nutritional Facts label introduces various changes, such as recalculating serving sizes, displaying calories per serving more clearly, and including information on added sugars and dietary fiber. Additionally, amounts of vitamin D, potassium, calcium citrate, zinc, and magnesium per serving will be included. The Nutritional Facts label has not been updated in nearly 20 years, making these changes particularly significant for consumers seeking to make informed dietary choices.