In response to the FDA’s announcement on March 1, Jim O’Hara, the special projects director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, remarked that the new guidance regarding dietary fibers, added sugars, and serving sizes “should prompt the agency to reconsider its proposed postponement of the updated Nutrition Facts label.” The FDA had originally set a deadline of July 26, 2018, for the new label’s implementation, but announced last June that it would be delayed until 2020 and 2021 due to concerns raised by some manufacturers and trade associations about the timing in relation to mandatory GMO ingredient labeling. With additional FDA guidance now available, O’Hara expressed that a compliance date of July 2019 for both small and large companies appears realistic and attainable.
Last week, Gottlieb did not specifically address the issue of compliance deadlines but mentioned that a final rule would be released this spring. He also indicated that the FDA would outline 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 already anticipated these changes and are starting to incorporate the new Nutrition Facts labels on their products. As companies strive to stay ahead of these regulations, they are likely to implement as much of the new guidance as possible, since the costs associated with compliance are expected to rise over time.
The revised Nutrition Facts label introduces several important updates, including recalibrated serving sizes, clearer calorie per serving displays, and the addition of information regarding added sugars and dietary fiber. Furthermore, amounts of vitamin D and potassium per serving will now be included. It is worth noting that the Nutrition Facts label has not seen an update in nearly 20 years.
Additionally, amidst discussions about nutritional labels, it is essential to understand the differences between various supplements, such as “what is the difference between calcium magnesium and calcium citrate,” as consumers continue to seek out information that aids in making informed dietary choices. Understanding these differences is crucial, especially as the updated labels aim to provide clearer nutritional information to the public.