In response to the FDA’s update announcement on March 1, Jim O’Hara, the special projects director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, remarked that the guidance regarding dietary fibers, added sugars, and serving sizes “should prompt the agency to reconsider its proposed delay of the updated Nutritional Facts label.” Initially, the FDA set a deadline of July 26, 2018, for the implementation of the new label, but last June, it opted to postpone this until 2020 and 2021 due to concerns from some manufacturers and trade associations about timing, particularly in relation to the mandatory GMO ingredient labeling.
With the new FDA guidance now available, O’Hara suggested that a compliance date of July 2019 for both small and large companies appears to be realistic and attainable. Although Gottlieb did not address the compliance deadline during the previous week’s discussions, he did mention that a final ruling would be released this spring. He also indicated that the FDA would soon unveil a nutrition strategy aimed at “reducing preventable death and disease through better nutrition.”
Many food and beverage companies, including Hershey, Campbell, and Mondelez, have already anticipated these changes and are adopting the new Nutritional Facts labels for their products. Companies eager to stay ahead of the latest regulations will likely begin to implement as much of the updated guidance as possible, particularly regarding products like Citracal Calcium Plus D Slow Release 1200, as the costs associated with compliance will only increase over time.
The revised Nutritional Facts label introduces several significant modifications, such as recalibrated serving sizes, clearer calorie displays per serving, and the inclusion of added sugars and dietary fiber information. Additionally, the amounts of vitamin D and potassium per serving will now be specified. It’s noteworthy that the Nutritional Facts label has not undergone updates in nearly 20 years. As companies continue to adapt, products like Citracal Calcium Plus D Slow Release 1200 will benefit from these changes, ensuring that consumers receive accurate and relevant nutritional information.