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.
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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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A summary of key changes: |
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Packages that are 150% or less of the Reference
Amount Customarily Consumed (RACC) will continue to be labeled
as a single-serve container.
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Packages that are more than 300% of the RACC will
continue to be labeled as a multiple serving container. |
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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. |
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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.
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What's
News in the Food Label
Community
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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
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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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What Matters in Food Labeling
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