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Volume 16, Number 10 - October 2016

Hello from Food Label News! In this issue, we continue with our ongoing series to provide guidance for implementing the new Nutrition Label Rules. This month's focus is the nitty-gritty of servings per container and how Nutrition Facts labels for single-serve and multiple serving packages need to be formatted. You'll also read about when lab nutrition analysis is recommended and hot topics from the Food Label Community. Happy fall.

In this issue you'll find:

 

"Too many thanks!!! We're so happy we got this back so quickly. When you do the work, we know it's done right! All the best."

– Luda Sery  
Joe Corbi's Wholesale Pizza, Inc.  

Serving Up Servings Per Container & Dual Columns:
Part 5, New Nutrition Label Series

What's News in the Food Label Community

Reader Q&A: When is Lab Nutrition Analysis Recommended?

 

Karen C. Duester, President


Serving Up Servings Per Container & Dual Columns:
Part 5, New Nutrition Label Series

An important aspect of the new food label regulations is the definition of a single-serve container and the format for Nutrition Facts when containers have multiple servings that can be consumed all at once. Since package size affects how much people eat, the new regulations ensure that consumers will know how many calories and nutrients they will consume if they eat or drink these entire packages at one time.

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The Trickiest Food Labeling Rules

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A summary of key changes:

Packages that are 150% or less of the Reference Amount Customarily Consumed (RACC) will continue to be labeled as a single-serve container.

Packages that are 150% to less than 200% of the RACC will continue to be labeled as a single-serve container when the RACC is less than 100g/100mL.

Packages that are 150% to less than 200% of the RACC where the RACC is 100g/100mL, are required to be labeled as a single-serve container, whereas previously they could be labeled as either 1 or 2 servings.

Most packages that are 200% to 300% of the RACC are required to be labeled in a dual column format showing both per serving and per container values. Some exemptions apply including: 1) small packages that qualify for a tabular or linear layout; 2) products that require further preparation and voluntarily include "as purchased" and "as prepared" values; 3) varied-weight products; and (4) raw fruits, vegetables and seafood when voluntary nutrition labeling is provided.

Packages that are more than 300% of the RACC will continue to be labeled as a multiple serving container.

View a quick comparison of original regulations vs. new 2016 Nutrition Label Rules for servings per container.

Next month we continue with Part 6: Understanding Added Sugar and New % DV. To read previous articles in the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, or Part 4.

Given the new food label regulations – keeping in mind changes to the RACC amounts for certain food categories (see September 2016 Food Label News) - manufacturers may consider modifications to net weight for packages that now require single-serve or dual column labeling. One example: for packages that fall between 200% and 300% of the RACC, net weight can be decreased below 200% so that dual column labeling is not required and instead the package would be labeled as a single serving. For individualized help in understanding these nuances, contact us.


What's News in the Food Label Community

FDA updates: Sodium reduction, Redefine "healthy", Inulin fiber source petition, Infant formula: here and here

Composite ingredient labeling? (13+ comments) and (6+ comments) and (6+ comments)

Chocolate imitation in the EU (18+ comments)

Reference amounts for ounce weight - 30g or 28g? (9+ comments)

Packaging weight tolerance EU and U.S. (12+ comments)

Join Food Label Community. Already a member, view Discussions.

Reader Q&A

Find answers to our readers' questions or send us your question for an upcoming issue.

Q.

When is lab nutrition analysis recommended?   
C.B., Massachusetts, Food Manufacturer 

A.

FDA requires Nutrition Facts label values to be accurate within the tolerances specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, but does not require a specific method of analysis to determine the values. When performed correctly, database analysis is typically a better predictor for Nutrition Facts label values as it uses the statistical average for commodity ingredients. There are, however, certain situations that may warrant lab testing. Read more.


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