In response to the FDA’s update announcement on March 1, Jim O’Hara, Director of Special Projects at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, stated that the guidance regarding dietary fibers, added sugars, and serving sizes “should prompt the agency to reconsider its proposed delay of the upgraded Nutrition Facts label.” The FDA had originally set a deadline of July 26, 2018, for the implementation of the new label but announced last June that it would postpone this until 2020 and 2021 due to concerns from some manufacturers and trade associations regarding the timing in relation to mandatory GMO ingredient labeling. With the new FDA guidance now available, O’Hara believes that a compliance date of July 2019 for both small and large companies is realistic and attainable.
Last week, Gottlieb did not address the compliance deadline but mentioned that a final rule is expected to be released this spring. He also indicated that the FDA would soon outline a nutrition strategy 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 Nutrition Facts labels on their products. Companies eager to stay ahead of the latest regulations will likely begin to implement as much of the new guidance as possible, as costs are expected to rise the longer compliance is delayed.
The updated Nutrition Facts label introduces various changes, such as recalculating serving sizes, clearly displaying calories per serving, and including details on added sugars and dietary fiber. Additionally, it will now feature the amounts of vitamin D and potassium per serving. Notably, the Nutrition Facts label has not seen an update in nearly 20 years. As for the citrate 1000 mg tablet, it is essential for consumers to be informed about these updates, ensuring they can make healthier choices based on the new labeling standards. The incorporation of citrate 1000 mg tablet information into the labels will further enhance transparency for consumers regarding their dietary needs.