Food Label Refresh

Coming soon to a food near you … a Nutrition Facts label that’s easy to understand. The current label is over 20 years old. It’s time for a makeover that will make it easier to track your nutrition.

What’s New

The new Nutrition Facts label will include:

• Easier to read calorie and serving size information
• Serving size changes:
  • Dual columns that show per serving and per package nutrition information
  • A more accurate reflection of the amount people actually eat. For example, ice cream serving size will change from 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup.
• The amount of added sugars in each serving
• Revised daily values for sodium, vitamin D and fiber
• Actual gram amounts for nutrients in which people are commonly deficient, such as potassium and vitamin D; listing nutrients for which deficiency is rare, such as vitamin A and C, will no longer be required
• A focus on the type of fat in the food versus calories from fat
• A more clear explanation of percent daily value
• An ingredient list (ingredients are listed by quantity, from highest to lowest)

What’s Important

When you read the labels, look for foods that are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals and low in sugar, sodium, cholesterol and fats (especially saturated fat and trans fat).

The Timeline

It will be a little while before the new label starts popping up on store shelves. Food manufacturers must have the new label on their products by July 26, 2018.