How the Updated FDA Nutrition Label Will Affect Your Diet

How the Updated FDA Nutrition Label Will Affect Your Diet

Introduction

Good news for the health-conscious people! In 2020, the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has announced the updated nutrition label that will help the consumers make informed decisions about the food they buy and consume. This revamped FDA nutrition label is designed to reflect updated scientific information and provide a clearer understanding of the nutritional value of the food products. This article will discuss the significant changes made in the recently updated nutrition label and how it can impact your diet.

New Look of the Nutrition Label

The updated FDA nutrition label introduced a new design that clearly shows the serving size and the number of servings in the package. The serving size has been adjusted to better reflect what people usually consume. The total calories per serving are now highlighted prominently, making it easy for consumers to keep track of their calorie intake.

The new label also highlights the added sugars content in grams and as a percentage of the daily value. This is an essential addition as a high intake of added sugars can lead to various health issues, including obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

The amount and percentage of Vitamin D and potassium in the product are included, as these two nutrients are vital for maintaining good health. Additionally, the amount of Vitamin A and C are no longer required to be mentioned, as deficiencies of these vitamins are rarely seen in the general population.

What Are the Significant Changes Made in the Updated Nutrition Label?

1. Serving Size and Calories

The serving size now reflects what people typically eat, instead of what the manufacturers suggest. This change means that the calorie count and nutrient content listed on the nutrition label will be more accurate. For example, if a package of cookies is now considered to contain two servings instead of one, the calorie count and nutrient content listed on the label will double accordingly.

2. Added Sugars

Added sugars are the ones that are added to the food products during processing, and they do not include the natural sugars present in fruits and dairy products. The new FDA nutrition label requires the manufacturers to list the amount of added sugars present in the product. This information will help consumers to avoid the foods that contain high levels of added sugars, which can lead to obesity, heart disease, and cancer.

3. Vitamin D and Potassium

The new nutrition label requires the manufacturers to include the amount of Vitamin D and potassium in the products. Vitamin D plays a vital role in maintaining healthy bones, while potassium is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure and heart function.

FAQs

1. Why was the nutrition label updated?

The FDA updated the nutrition label to provide more accurate and updated information to the consumers about the nutritional value of the food products they buy and consume.

2. How will the new nutrition label help the consumers?

The new nutrition label will help the consumers to make informed decisions about the food products they buy and consume. The updated label displays serving size, calorie count, and added sugar content more clearly.

3. Are there any penalties for not complying with the new nutrition label guidelines?

Yes, there are penalties for non-compliance. The FDA can issue warning letters, seize products, or take legal action against non-compliant manufacturers.

4. What nutrients are required to be listed on the new nutrition label?

The new nutrition label requires the manufacturers to list the amount of calories, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, Vitamin D, calcium, potassium, and iron present in the product.

5. Does the new nutrition label apply to all food products?

The new nutrition label guidelines apply to all packaged food products, except for those that contain insignificant amounts of all the required nutrients.

Conclusion

The updated FDA nutrition label is a step in the right direction towards providing consumers with accurate and updated information about the nutritional value of the food products they buy and consume. With the help of this label, people can make informed decisions about their diet and choose the foods that are healthy for them.