FDA issues new nutrition labelling rules to reflect actual eating habits

As of 2020, the FDA has issued new nutrition labelling rules for food manufacturers in a move that represents a big change for snack foods.

The additional labelling regulations address serving sizes of foods on packaged food products, as well as highlighting calorie intake with a bolder and bigger font.

The most significant feature includes a dual column label for foods that can reasonably be consumed in one sitting. One column lists the nutrition facts related to a single serving, while the other is based on the contents of the entire package.

As a result, the FDA says the serving sizes will reflect what people actually eat and drink, rather than a recommendation of what to consume.

The new Nutrition Facts label also includes the introduction of a new category termed ‘added sugars’, referring to sugars that are added during the processing of foods. These can include but aren’t limited to syrups, types of actual sugars as well as honey and even fruit juices.

Changes that have been implemented are to the regulations that were initially made in May 2016. Compliance was initially set for 26 July 2019, however due to another alteration this was extended to 2020.

The rules apply to companies with at least $10 million in annual food sales and compliance to the updated regulations is now required by 1 January 2020. Meanwhile, manufacturers with less annual food sales will have an additional year to comply.

During the first six months, the FDA plans to work cooperatively with manufacturers to meet the new requirements. The FDA have also said that they will not focus on enforcement actions during that time, as to allow everyone to get on board.  

Claudine Kavanaugh, director of nutrition and food labelling in the FDA’s Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said: “The new Nutrition Facts label has updated serving sizes for many foods.

“We know that Americans are eating differently, and the amount of calories and nutrients on the label is required to reflect what people actually eat and drink – not a recommendation of what to eat or drink.

“The new label, including this dual column layout, will drive consumers’ attention to the calories and percent daily value of nutrients that they are actually consuming.”