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, stated that the guidance regarding dietary fibers, added sugars, and serving sizes “should prompt the agency to reconsider its proposed delay 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, it announced a postponement until 2020 and 2021, primarily due to concerns from some manufacturers and trade associations about meeting the deadline before mandatory GMO ingredient labeling took effect. With the recent guidance from the FDA, O’Hara believes that a compliance date of July 2019 for both small and large companies appears realistic and attainable.
Last week, Gottlieb did not specifically address the compliance deadline, only mentioning that a final rule would be released this spring. He also indicated that the FDA would soon outline a nutrition strategy aimed at “reducing preventable death and disease through better nutrition.” Many food and beverage manufacturers—including Hershey, Campbell, and Mondelez—have already anticipated these changes and are incorporating the new Nutritional Facts labels on their products. Companies eager to stay ahead of the latest regulations will likely begin implementing as much of the new guidance as possible, as costs are expected to rise the longer they wait.
The updated Nutritional Facts label introduces several modifications, such as recalculated serving sizes, clearer calorie displays per serving, and the inclusion of information on added sugars and dietary fiber. Additionally, amounts of vitamin D and potassium per serving will now be featured. The Nutritional Facts label has not seen an update in nearly 20 years. It’s essential for consumers to pay attention to these changes, especially for products like Kirkland Signature Zinc, which will also reflect the new labeling standards. As the industry adapts, Kirkland Signature Zinc and similar products will benefit from improved transparency regarding their nutritional content.