A Refreshed Look for Better Clarity
One of the most noticeable updates to the food label is its refreshed design, with key information presented in a more prominent and easier-to-read format. The calorie count is now larger and bolder, as are the servings per container and serving size declarations. This visual hierarchy helps consumers quickly identify the most important information at a glance. The footnote at the bottom has also been reworded to better explain what the % Daily Value (%DV) means in the context of a 2,000-calorie daily diet. Manufacturers with more than $10 million in annual food sales were required to comply with these changes by January 2020, with smaller manufacturers given until January 2021.
New Additions and Removals for Key Nutrients
Several nutrients have been added or removed based on current dietary science and public health concerns. The new label now requires the listing of Vitamin D and potassium, with their actual amounts and %DV displayed. These are considered essential nutrients that many Americans do not get enough of. The declaration of Vitamins A and C is no longer mandatory, as deficiencies in these vitamins are now rare in the U.S. population. Importantly, the controversial 'Calories from Fat' line has been removed from the label. This change reflects a modern nutritional understanding that the type of fat consumed is more significant than the total amount of fat.
The New Added Sugars Information
For many, one of the most significant and welcome changes is the inclusion of 'Added Sugars' listed as both grams and a %DV. This helps consumers differentiate between sugars naturally found in foods, like fruits and milk, and sugars added during processing. Scientific data suggests it is difficult to meet nutrient needs while staying within calorie limits if more than 10% of total daily calories come from added sugar. By highlighting this information, the FDA aims to help consumers reduce their intake of added sweeteners found in many beverages and processed foods. For single-ingredient sugars, such as honey or maple syrup, the %DV for added sugars is also declared.
Changes to Serving Sizes and Package Labeling
For the first time since 1993, serving sizes have been updated to reflect what people actually eat and drink today, not what they 'should' consume. For example, the serving size for ice cream has changed from ½ cup to ⅔ cup, and soda from 8 ounces to 12 ounces. The new rules also address packaging size for modern consumption habits. Packages that contain between one and two servings, which are likely to be consumed in a single sitting (e.g., a 20-ounce soda), must now list the entire package as one serving. For larger products that could be consumed in one sitting or multiple sittings (e.g., a pint of ice cream), a 'dual-column' label is now required. This displays calories and nutrients on both a 'per serving' and 'per package' basis, making it easier to calculate intake for the whole product.
Comparison of Old vs. New Food Labels
This table highlights the key differences between the previous Nutrition Facts label and the updated version, which is now mandatory on most packaged foods.
| Feature | Old Label (Pre-2020) | New Label (Post-2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Calories, serving size, and servings per container were smaller and had less prominence. | "Calories," "servings per container," and "Serving size" are now larger and in bold font for better visibility. |
| Serving Sizes | Based on consumption data from 1993, with smaller reference amounts for many foods. | Updated to reflect actual consumption patterns, resulting in larger reference amounts for products like ice cream and soda. |
| Added Sugars | Added sugars were included in the 'Total Sugars' line, making them difficult to distinguish. | A separate line for "Includes X g Added Sugars" is now required, complete with a %DV. |
| Required Nutrients | Required listing for Vitamin A and Vitamin C, but not Vitamin D or Potassium. | Required listing for Vitamin D and Potassium, with Vitamin A and C now optional. |
| Nutrient Details | Vitamin amounts were typically listed as %DV only. | Mandatory vitamins and minerals must now also list their actual gram or microgram amount. |
| Footnote | A longer, more technical footnote explaining %DV based on a 2,000-calorie diet. | Simplified footnote for easier consumer understanding of the %DV. |
| Calories from Fat | Included the line "Calories from Fat". | The "Calories from Fat" line has been removed. |
Conclusion: A Clearer Picture for Healthier Choices
The new food label changes represent a significant step toward improving public health by providing clearer, science-based information to consumers. With bolder calorie counts, realistic serving sizes, and a transparent listing of added sugars, shoppers can more easily identify healthier options in the grocery aisle. The inclusion of Vitamin D and potassium addresses current dietary deficiencies, empowering individuals to focus on nutrients that Americans often lack. While adjusting to the updated design may take time, these comprehensive changes ultimately empower consumers to make smarter and more informed dietary choices for themselves and their families. This renewed focus on transparency helps foster healthier eating habits by giving the public the tools they need to navigate complex nutritional information more effectively.
An excellent resource for a visual comparison of the old and new labels can be found on the FDA's website.
How to Interpret the Updated Nutrition Facts Label
- Serving Size: The serving size reflects what people actually eat, not what they should eat. Be mindful of how many servings you are truly consuming, as the nutrition data is based on a single serving.
- Calories: Calorie counts are now in a larger, bolder font, making them easier to spot and factor into your total daily intake.
- Added Sugars: The new "Added Sugars" line with its corresponding %DV helps you limit your intake of sugars added during processing, which can be a source of empty calories.
- % Daily Value: Use the %DV to quickly assess if a food is high or low in a nutrient. Remember, 5% DV or less is considered low, while 20% DV or more is high.
- Nutrients to Get Less Of: Pay attention to the %DV for saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars, and aim for lower percentages to support heart health.
- Nutrients to Get More Of: Look for higher %DVs of dietary fiber, Vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium, as many Americans don't get enough of these.
- Dual-Column Labels: On packages that contain more than one serving but might be eaten in one sitting (e.g., a pint of ice cream), check the dual-column label to see the nutrition information for both a single serving and the entire package.
- No 'Calories from Fat': The removal of this line emphasizes the importance of the type of fat over the total amount. Focus on limiting saturated and trans fats instead.
Key Takeaways
- Bolder Calories: The new labels feature a much larger, bolder font for calories to highlight this key information.
- Realistic Serving Sizes: Serving sizes are now based on current consumption habits, not outdated standards, offering a more accurate nutritional picture.
- Added Sugars Line: A dedicated line for "Added Sugars" helps consumers identify and limit extra sugars in products.
- Dual-Column Labels: Certain packages now have two columns showing nutrition information per serving and per package for more transparent calorie counting.
- New Nutrients: Vitamin D and potassium are now mandatory on the label, while Vitamins A and C are no longer required.
- No 'Calories from Fat': This line was removed because the type of fat is considered more important than the total amount.
- Updated %DV Footnote: The footnote now provides a clearer explanation of what the Percent Daily Value (%DV) means for consumers.
- Clearer Nutrient Presentation: The actual amount (in mg or mcg) is now listed alongside the %DV for mandatory vitamins and minerals.
FAQs
- What are the new food label changes regarding sugar? One of the most significant new food label changes is the addition of a separate line for "Added Sugars," which now shows the amount in grams and as a percent Daily Value (%DV). This helps distinguish between naturally occurring sugars and those added during processing.
- Why did the serving sizes change on the new food label? The FDA updated serving sizes to reflect the amounts people actually eat and drink today, which have changed since the previous requirements were established in 1993. This provides a more realistic representation of the calories and nutrients consumed per typical portion.
- What is the difference between total sugars and added sugars on the new label? Total sugars include both sugars naturally present in foods (like those in fruit and milk) and any added sugars. Added sugars are sweeteners added during food processing and are now broken out separately on the label so consumers can see how much is extra.
- Which vitamins and minerals are required on the new food label? The new label requires the listing of Vitamin D and potassium, in addition to calcium and iron. Vitamins A and C are no longer required, though manufacturers can still list them voluntarily.
- What is the Percent Daily Value (%DV) on the new label? The %DV shows how much a single serving of a food contributes to your total daily diet, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. A %DV of 5% or less is considered low for that nutrient, while 20% or more is considered high.
- Why was "Calories from Fat" removed from the new food label? This line was removed because research shows that the type of fat is more important for health than the total amount. The new label still lists total fat, saturated fat, and trans fat.
- What are dual-column labels? Dual-column labels are required for certain food packages that contain more than one serving but could reasonably be eaten in one sitting (like a pint of ice cream). They show nutrition information both on a 'per serving' basis and a 'per package' basis.
