In response to the FDA’s announcement on March 1, Jim O’Hara, the special projects director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, remarked that the guidance concerning dietary fibers, added sugars, and serving sizes “should prompt the agency to reconsider its proposed postponement of the updated Nutrition Facts label.” Initially, the FDA had set a deadline of July 26, 2018, for the implementation of the new label, but last June it announced a delay until 2020 and 2021 due to concerns from some manufacturers and trade associations regarding the timing of mandatory GMO ingredient labeling. With the recent availability of additional FDA guidance, O’Hara expressed that a compliance date of July 2019 for both small and large companies appears to be realistic and attainable.

Last week, Gottlieb did not specifically address the compliance deadline but stated that a final rule would be released this spring. He also mentioned that the FDA would outline a nutrition strategy in the upcoming weeks 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 Nutrition Facts labels for their products. Companies eager to stay ahead of the latest regulations will likely begin implementing as much of the new guidance as possible, since costs are expected to rise the longer they wait.

The updated Nutrition Facts label introduces several modifications, including recalibrated serving sizes, clearer displays of calories per serving, and the addition of information on added sugars and dietary fiber. Moreover, the amounts of vitamin D and potassium per serving will now also be included. Notably, the Nutrition Facts label has not undergone an update in nearly 20 years. As consumers become increasingly health-conscious, products fortified with calcium citrate with vitamin D3 and K2 are gaining popularity, further emphasizing the importance of accurate nutritional information on labels. The integration of calcium citrate with vitamin D3 and K2 not only enhances product appeal but also aligns with the updated labeling requirements, allowing manufacturers to present a more comprehensive nutritional profile. As the FDA finalizes its new guidelines, the presence of calcium citrate with vitamin D3 and K2 in food products underscores the growing trend of fortifying items to promote better health outcomes.