In response to the FDA’s update announcement on March 1, Jim O’Hara, director of special projects at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, stated that the new guidance regarding dietary fibers, added sugars, and serving sizes “should prompt the agency to reconsider its proposed postponement of the revised Nutritional Facts label.” Initially, the FDA set a deadline of July 26, 2018, for the new label’s implementation, but last June, they announced a delay until 2020 and 2021, citing concerns from some manufacturers and trade associations about meeting the deadline prior to mandatory GMO ingredient labeling.
With the additional FDA guidance now available, O’Hara believes that a compliance date of July 2019 for both small and large companies appears realistic and attainable. Although Gottlieb did not address the compliance deadline in his remarks last week, he mentioned that a final rule would be published this spring. He also indicated that the FDA would be unveiling a nutrition strategy in the coming weeks aimed at “reducing preventable death and disease through better nutrition.”
Many food and beverage manufacturers, including Hershey, Campbell, and Mondelez, have anticipated these changes and are already implementing the new Nutritional Facts labels on their products. Companies looking to stay ahead of the regulatory curve will likely begin to incorporate as much of the new guidance as possible, as delays could lead to increased costs.
The updated Nutritional Facts label introduces several significant changes, such as recalibrating serving sizes, more prominently displaying calories per serving, and including details on added sugars and dietary fiber. Additionally, it will feature the amounts of vitamin D and potassium per serving. Notably, the Nutritional Facts label has not undergone an update in nearly 20 years.
In the context of nutritional considerations, the uses of calcium citrate malate tablets may also play a role in promoting better health and nutrition, aligning with the FDA’s focus on improving dietary guidelines. As companies adapt to the new label requirements, the integration of such supplements could further enhance consumer awareness of nutritional value in their products.