SoylentNews

butthurt [soylentnews.org] writes:

Manufacturers of packaged food sold in the United States face new requirements for the so-called "Nutrition Facts" notices. The largest food processors have July 2018 to comply with the new rules published on 20 May by the Food and Drug Administration; smaller companies have an additional year to comply.

Among the changes are a new line of text disclosing "Added Sugars" as distinguished from the sugars naturally present in, for example, fruits and milk. According to Reuters,

The Sugar Association [...] said it was 'disappointed' at the requirement to list added sugars on the label and said the FDA had not demonstrated a scientific link between sugar and disease.

Serving sizes for certain foods will be changed, with some increasing and others decreasing. The sizes are ostensibly to be "based on actual consumption."

Caloric (energy) value is to be shown in a larger font than now required.

A White House press release says that labeling requirements for micronutrients will change:

An updated list of nutrients required to be declared based off of public health significance. Vitamin D and potassium—nutrients Americans often do not get enough of—will be required. Calcium and iron will continue to be required. Vitamins A and C are no longer required but can be included on a voluntary basis.

links:

• Reuters [reuters.com]
• USA Today [usatoday.com]
• PBS [pbs.org]
• WebMD [webmd.com]
• White House press release [whitehouse.gov]

Original Submission