Download Nutrition Facts Panel

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic
HTF 0117
1-888-656-9988
HOME & GARDEN
INFORMATION
CENTER
Nutrition Facts Panel
The FDA has recently finalized a new Nutrition
Facts panel layout for packaged foods based on
current science based information, including the
link between diet and chronic diseases such as
obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The new panel
makes it easier for consumers to make better food
choices.
Features a Refreshed Design
The nutrition facts panel still has a similar layout to
the original panel, but includes updates to ensure
that consumers have all the information needed to
make better decisions about food choices. The
changes include increasing the print size for
“Calories,” “servings per container,” and “Serving
Size,” and bolding the number of calories and the
“serving size” to highlight this information.
Also, manufacturers must declare the actual
amount, in addition to percent daily value of
vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium. The gram
amount for other vitamins and minerals is
voluntary.
The footnote is changing to better explain what
percent daily value actually means. It will now read:
“The % daily value tells you how much a nutrient in
a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000
calories a day is used for general nutrition
information.
Reflects Updated Information about
Nutrition Science
Added sugars in grams and as a percent daily value
will also be on the label. Scientific data shows that
it can be difficult to meet nutrient needs while
staying within calorie limits if you consume more
than ten percent of your total daily calories from
added sugar, and this is consistent with the 20152020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Vitamin D and potassium will be required on the
label. The list of nutrients required is being updated.
Calcium and iron will continue to be required
whereas vitamins A and C are no longer required
but can be included voluntarily. Total fat, saturated
fat, and trans fat are still on the label, but Calories
from fat is being removed because research has
proven that the type of fat is more important than
the amount.
Daily values for nutrients like sodium, fiber, and
vitamin D are being updated based on new scientific
evidence from Dietary Guidelines, Institute of
Medicine, etc. Daily values are reference amounts
of nutrients to consume or not exceed and are used
to calculate the percent daily value that
manufacturers include on the label.
Updates to Serving Sizes and Labeling
Requirements for Certain Package Sizes
By law, serving sizes must be based on the amount
of food and beverage that people are actually eating,
not what they should be eating. The amount that
people eat has changed since the previous serving
size requirements were published in 1993.
Research has shown that package size affects what
people eat. Therefore, packages that are between
one and two servings, such as a 20-ounce soda or
can of soup, are required to provide the calories and
nutrients as one serving because people typically
consume their entirety in one sitting.
If certain products are larger than a single serving
but could be consumed in one or multiple sittings,
manufacturers will have to provide a “dual column”
label to indicate the amount of calories and nutrients
on both a “per serving” and “per package” basis.
Examples would include a 24-ounce soda or a pint
of ice cream. Dual column labels will allow people
to easily understand how many calories and
nutrients they are getting if they eat or drink the
entire package/unit at one time.
Manufacturers will be required to begin using the
new label on their food products no later than July
26, 2018.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2016.
Changes to the nutrition facts label. Silver Spring,
MD: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Available
from:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/Guid
anceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNut
rition/ucm385663.htm. Accessed December 12,
2016.
Prepared by Shana Madden, Extension Agent, Cooperative Extension
Service, Clemson University. New 01/17.
This information is supplied with the understanding that no
discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or
registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative
Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by
the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All
recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not
apply to other areas. Use pesticides only according to the directions
on the label. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South
Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status
of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of
state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions,
precautions and restrictions that are listed.
The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service
offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
Clemson University Cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture, South Carolina Counties, Extension Service, Clemson, South Carolina. Issued in Furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in
Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914
Public Service Activities