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Volume 14, Number 3 - March 2014

Big news from Food Label News. The long-awaited proposed rules for changes to the Nutrition Facts and Supplement Facts labels were released by FDA last week. In this issue, we review the implications for food labelers and connect you with what your colleagues are saying in the Food Label Community on LinkedIn. As the industry sorts through the proposed changes, we will continue to answer your questions about the current regulations. Be sure to read this month's Reader Q&A about percent Daily Values.

In this issue you'll find:

 

"This report (for one-time regulatory support) is great and comes in very handy...we will definitely be back for future questions on other products."

– Elva Charles
Sterling Foods LLC

FDA Issues Proposed Rules for Changes to the Nutrition Label

What's News in the Food Label Community

Reader Q&A: %DV for Nutrition Facts Labeling

 

Karen C. Duester, President


FDA Issues Proposed Rules for
Changes to the Nutrition Label

When food label news finds its way into the popular press it's a big deal for our industry. No doubt you've heard all about FDA's proposed changes to the Nutrition Facts and Supplement Facts labels in the trade and consumer media. The goal: to provide updated nutrition information on the food label to assist consumers in maintaining healthy dietary practices. One thing is for sure: this is just the beginning of a multi-year process.

Reader Favorites

Nutrition labeling: reference amounts in U.S., Canada, Mexico, and EU
   

Search foodlabels.com
   

Here's what you need to know:

On March 3, FDA published two Proposed Rules in the Federal Register regarding important revisions to nutrition labeling: first, second.

Highlights of the proposed changes: label format and appearance, serving sizes for several items especially "single-serve" packages, and reference amounts for Daily Values. FDA also proposes to include Added Sugars, Vitamin D and Potassium as "mandatory" Nutrition Facts nutrients, while Vitamin A and Vitamin C would become "voluntary" and Calories from Fat would be eliminated.

FDA provides a 90-day comment period, although the Agency may extend the comment period.

Following the comment period, FDA will review all comments and either open another comment period or publish the final requirements.

There is no specified period of time for FDA to publish the final requirements.

See a side-by-side comparison of the current and proposed Nutrition Facts label on the FDA website here.

There is no immediate action required to ensure that your food labels comply with these proposed regulations. It is likely that the proposed rules will change (at least somewhat) before FDA publishes final regulations. Also, this process will take at least a year and FDA will provide two additional years before compliance is required.


What's News in the Food Label Community

Keep current with what's important to food labelers at our virtual water cooler: the Food Label Community on LinkedIn.

Initial thoughts from food labelers on FDA's new proposed rules

What will count as Added Sugars?

Canadian labeling regulation for polydextrose

 Join Food Label Community and view the discussions

Reader Q&A

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

Q.

I would like to know when labeling of Daily Values is required on a label. Is it determined by the size of the container or net weight of the contents? 
P.S., Illinois, Start-up Company

A.

U.S. regulations require that percent Daily Values (%DV) of certain nutrients be displayed within the Nutrition Facts Panel. This is independent of the product's net weight or size. Read more.


What matters in food labeling

Food Label News, now in its 14th year, is a monthly e-newsletter reaching over 8,000 subscribers around the world. We welcome your colleagues to subscribe for news and insights about food labels: www.foodlabels.com/subscribe

 

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