A new nutrition facts label

 

Ashley Corbett

 

We’ve all seen it. It’s on every box, bag and canned goods in the grocery story. Some of us read it religiously and some of us may never look at it.

The nutrition facts label is a required posting on all packaged foods to show its nutrient content. The label was mandated in 1993 after decades of “acts” and regulations, regarding the food industry, were created to help the public understand what they were eating. Since then, minimal changes have been seen with the label. However, via various citizens’ petitions and input from committees, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has now proposed a few changes to the label. These changes are based on nutrition and public health research which links what people eat with chronic diseases.

The new, proposed changes are:

 

Modifications to the required nutrients

Updating daily values on sodium, fiber, potassium and vitamin D. Vitamin D and potassium will be required postings, along with calcium and iron, as they’re considered “nutrients of public health significance” due to specific populations showing deficiencies in these nutrients. Vitamins A and C are no longer required to be labeled as deficiencies are “no longer common.” Food manufacturers can continue to label these nutrients on a voluntary basis.

Required listing of “Added Sugars” is proposed to be added to the label which will help consumers know what sugar is “natural” versus “added.”

“Calories from fat” will be removed as the type of fat we consume is more significant than the calories.

 

Updating the serving size requirements.

Increasing the serving size requirements to reflect how people eat and drink today.

Will require packaged foods and drinks that are typically eaten in one sitting, to be labeled as a single serving with calorie and nutrient information to reflect this intake. For example: a 20-ounce soda, usually consumed in one sitting, will be labeled as one serving size with the calories and nutrients to reflect this amount.

Food and beverages that are consumed in multiple sittings will have a “dual column” on the label indicating “per serving” and “per package” for calories and nutrients.

 

A refreshed design

The new label will have the calories and the serving size more prominent in size and in bold so consumers can spot it “first”.

The new label will have “amount per ___” instead of “amount per serving.” The amount will reflect common household measurements (example: amount per ½ cup).

The “Percent Daily Value” will move from the right side of the label to the left side. This change is proposed so consumers will see how much they are getting from each nutrient as they read the label.

The footnote will be replaced with information that clearly explains the “Percent Daily Value.”

 

Original Label vs. Proposed Label

<INSERT PHOTOS 1 AND 2>

The FDA is proposing that food manufactures have just over two years to comply with placing the new nutrition facts label on their products, once it is approved.

So what does this mean for us, as the consumer?

Hopefully more awareness of the amount of calories we are actually consuming which will then be reflected in our lifestyles (weight, food choices, etc). Excessive intake of calories causes a weight gain, which increases the risk for developing chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Hopefully a movement in choosing foods with less saturated fat will be seen. This type of fat is shown to be a risk for developing cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, obesity, etc.

Hopefully, an increase in the consumption of foods with fiber and vitamin D will be seen, as these are now known to be lacking in the American diet. Respectively, these help maintain good bowel/heart health and bone health.

Hopefully a decrease in the consumption of foods with “added sugars” will be seen as these increase our calorie intake without providing any nutrient value. Americans get about 16% of their calories from added sugars (commonly called “empty calories”), which can be found in soda, energy/sports drinks, desserts, fruit drinks and candy. This change with the label can help those who want to limit their intake of added sugars.

Hopefully, an increase in the number of people who read the label will be seen!

The next time you visit the grocery store; take a look at the nutrition facts label on some of the food and drink choices you commonly consume. It may shock us to know the amount of each nutrient we are actually consuming.

Ashley Corbett, MS, RD, LDN is a registered dietitian with Vidant Wellness Center and Vidant Beaufort Hospital.