In response to the FDA’s update announcement on March 1, Jim O’Hara, the special projects director at 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 postponement of the updated Nutritional Facts label.” Initially, the FDA set a deadline of July 26, 2018, for the rollout of the new label but announced last June that this would be delayed until 2020 and 2021 due to concerns from some manufacturers and trade associations about implementing the changes prior to the mandatory GMO ingredient labeling. With the additional guidance now available, O’Hara indicated that a compliance date of July 2019 for both small and large companies seems realistic and attainable.
FDA Commissioner Gottlieb did not address the compliance deadline issue last week, other than to mention that a final rule would be released this spring. He also noted 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 beginning to incorporate the new Nutritional Facts labels on their products. Companies eager to stay ahead of these regulations are likely to implement as much of the new guidance as possible, as costs will only increase the longer they wait.
The updated Nutritional Facts label introduces several important changes, including 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 be provided. Notably, the Nutritional Facts label has not seen an update in nearly 20 years. For instance, manufacturers of calcium chews for bariatric patients may need to adjust their labels to comply with the new guidelines, ensuring that information on dietary fiber and added sugars is accurately represented. As more details emerge, it will be crucial for producers, including those offering calcium chews for bariatric patients, to align their products with the updated regulations to meet consumer needs effectively.