Update to Nutrition Facts Label Sheds More Light on Added Sugars
Yesterday FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. issued a statement about updates to the Nutrition Facts label for foods. The latest label uses evidence-based information about nutrients, including added sugars, to heighten consumer awareness related to the amount of added sugars in foods, especially as it relates to dietary guidance recommendations.
One of the important factors in ensuring successful implementation of the label is that FDA provides food manufacturers with clear guidance on how to make the required changes to their labels to meet the compliance deadline. Last year FDA proposed extending the compliance date from July of this year until January 1, 2020 for large manufacturers ($10 million+ in annual sales) and January 2021 for small companies.
“We’re equally committed to providing industry the information they need to effectively implement the new version of the Nutrition Facts label in a timely fashion. Today we issued practical guidances that provide further clarity on several key elements, including fiber, added sugars and serving size declarations.” – Scott Gottlieb, M.D., FDA
FDA also released the final guidance, “Food Labeling: Serving Sizes of Foods That Can Reasonably Be Consumed At One Occasion; Dual-Column Labeling; Updating, Modifying, and Establishing Certain Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed; Serving Size for Breath Mints; and Technical Amendments; Small Entity Compliance Guide”, along with a draft guidance to assist manufacturers in declaring added sugars on labeling honey, maple sugar and certain cranberry products.