By Marion Groetch, MS, RDN
Director of Nutrition Services
Jaffe Food Allergy Institute
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Nutrition Facts Label:
Food labels provide important nutrition information. The new Nutrition Facts label will be easier to read with portion sizes more in line with consumer consumption habits. Calories, and serving size will be in a larger font and in bold type and servings per container will also be larger. The label will also list required information not previously available on product labels for instance on the amount of added sugars, vitamin D and potassium content.
Regarding the new food labeling laws:
Manufacturers will need to use the new label by July 26, 2018, however smaller manufacturers will have an additional year to comply. The main differences are:
1. Serving sizes listed on the nutrition facts label will be more in line with what people actually eat. They caloric value will also be larger and easier to read
2. Updated list of nutrients listed included: Will now include potassium and vitamin D in addition to calcium and iron but vitamins A and C will no longer be required to be listed but can be listed on a volunteer basis. Vitamin D and potassium are two important nutrients that Americans don’t always get enough of.
3. Sugar content will separate out the added sugar content (as opposed to the sugar that naturally occurs in some foods).