Understanding the Nutrition Facts Label: A Guide for You

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has implemented significant changes to the Nutrition Facts Label, marking the first update since its debut in 1994. The final rule was published on May 27, 2016, with compliance required by January 1, 2020, for manufacturers with $10 million or more in annual food sales. Manufacturers with less than $10 million in annual food sales were given an additional year to comply, making their deadline January 1, 2021[1][3].

Key changes to the Nutrition Facts Label include:

Revised serving sizes to reflect more realistic portions consumed.
Dual-column labeling for certain products to show "per serving" and "per package" nutrition.
Updated nutrients that must be declared; for example, the addition of the declaration of added sugars.
Changes to how nutrients like vitamin D and potassium are presented.
Updated daily values based on current scientific evidence.
Formatting changes designed for easier readability and comprehension by consumers[1][2].

These label changes aim to help consumers make better-informed food choices and are part of the FDA’s ongoing efforts to modernize nutrition labeling[1][2][3][5].

The new label requirements apply to most packaged foods, except certain meat, poultry, and processed egg products regulated by the USDA[2]. Additionally, in December 2024, the FDA finalized a new rule that updates the definition of the term “healthy” for nutrient content claims, with compliance expected by February 2028[5].

The nutrition facts label provides essential information about the nutritional content of food products, making it easier for consumers to make informed choices. The new label lists the percent daily value (% DV) for each nutrient, with 5% or less considered low and 20% or more considered high. This information, listed to the right of each nutrient on the label, indicates how much each nutrient in the serving of food contributes to an individual's daily nutrition needs[4].

Foods with more than one ingredient have an ingredient list on their label, with ingredients listed in descending order by weight. The ingredient list reveals sources of sugar and sodium that are added to food products. This information is particularly useful for people who are trying to limit certain nutrients or avoid certain foods, especially those who have food allergies or sensitivities[4].

The amount of total fat in one serving of food includes the amount of saturated fat, unsaturated fat, trans fat, and eating too much saturated fat and trans fat can increase a person's risk for heart disease[4]. The new label lists the amount of added sugar per serving of food, which is important information for those who are trying to limit their sugar intake.

The serving size listed influences the number of calories and all other nutrient amounts listed on the label. Some packages of food contain more than one serving but are commonly eaten in a single day or sitting[4]. In such cases, it's crucial to consider the total calories and nutrients consumed in one sitting.

In summary, the updated Nutrition Facts Label is designed to provide consumers with clear, concise, and easy-to-understand information about the nutritional content of food products. By making informed choices, consumers can take a step towards maintaining a healthier diet and reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and some cancers.

[1] FDA. (2016, May 27). Final Rule: Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels; Serving Sizes of Foods that can be Single-Serving Containers and Certain Multiple-Serving Containers; and Dual-Column Labeling. Retrieved from https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/05/27/2016-11756/nutrition-and-supplement-facts-labels-serving-sizes-of-foods-that-can-be-single-serving-containers

[2] FDA. (n.d.). Nutrition Facts Label Modernization. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-labelsing/nutrition-facts-label-modernization

[3] FDA. (2018, July 16). FDA Extends Compliance Dates for Revised Nutrition Facts Label to January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-extends-compliance-dates-revised-nutrition-facts-label-january-1-2020-and-january-1-2021

[4] FDA. (n.d.). Understanding and Using the Nutrition Facts Label. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-labelsing/understanding-and-using-nutrition-facts-label

[5] FDA. (2024, December 14). Final Rule: Definition of the Term "Healthy" for Use in Labeling of Human Food Products. Retrieved from https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/14/2024-27950/definition-of-the-term-healthy-for-use-in-labeling-of-human-food-products

The FDA's science-based updates to the Nutrition Facts Label, implemented in 2016, aim to facilitate better-informed decisions regarding health-and-wellness through increases in the transparency of food nutritional content.
Consumers can now make healthier diet choices, as the label changes include the declaration of added sugars and revised serving sizes that better represent realistic portions, promoting fitness-and-exercise by fostering informed food selection.
The new label requirements, which took effect in 2020, provide essential information about the nutritional content, including daily values, of food products, helping individuals maintain a healthy diet and reduce the risks associated with chronic diseases like heart disease and some cancers.