What was considered during the revision of the new Nutrition Facts label?

October 31, 2025 •

3 min read

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the Nutrition Facts label for the first time in over 20 years to better reflect modern dietary science and public health priorities. This update, mandated in 2016, aimed to give consumers more accurate and helpful information, based on significant consideration of scientific evidence and changing consumption habits.

Quick Summary

The new Nutrition Facts label underwent a comprehensive revision that considered updated scientific data on diet and chronic disease, changes in typical American eating and drinking habits, and public health recommendations. The revisions led to the prominent display of calories, declaration of added sugars, updated serving sizes, and changes to required vitamins and minerals.

Key Points

Updated Scientific Evidence: The revision was primarily driven by new scientific data linking diet to chronic diseases like obesity and heart disease.
Added Sugars Declaration: Added sugars are now listed separately to highlight their contribution to overall calorie intake, based on new dietary recommendations.
Refreshed Design: Key information, such as calories and serving sizes, is now displayed in a larger, bolder font for improved readability.
Revised Serving Sizes: Serving sizes were updated to reflect amounts that people typically eat and drink today, not what they were recommended to eat in the past.
Key Nutrient Updates: Vitamin D and potassium were added as required nutrients, while vitamins A and C are now voluntary, reflecting modern public health deficiencies.
Dual-Column Labeling: A new dual-column format is required for certain package sizes, clearly showing nutrition information for a single serving and for the entire package.

Integrating Current Scientific Information

Reflecting the Link Between Diet and Chronic Disease

The revision was significantly influenced by new scientific findings connecting dietary patterns to chronic illnesses like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. To assist consumers in lowering their risk, the FDA aimed to provide clearer information, leading to modifications in required nutrients and their presentation. For instance, prioritizing the type of fat over the amount resulted in the removal of "Calories from Fat".

The Rise of Added Sugars

Research indicated high consumption of added sugars among Americans, making it difficult to meet nutrient needs within calorie limits. A key change was requiring the listing of "Added Sugars" in grams and as a Percent Daily Value (%DV). This helps distinguish between naturally occurring and added sugars, based on recommendations from the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans to limit added sugar intake to under 10% of daily calories.

Prioritizing Key Nutrients

Based on consumption surveys, the FDA updated the required vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A and C, now less commonly deficient, are optional. Conversely, Vitamin D and potassium, often lacking in American diets, are now mandatory, joining calcium and iron. The label must show both the actual amount (mg/mcg) and %DV for these four.

Modernizing Consumer Experience and Habits

Updated Serving Sizes Reflect Current Consumption

Serving sizes must legally reflect actual consumption habits. The FDA used updated data to revise serving sizes, such as changing ice cream from half a cup to two-thirds and soda from 8 to 12 ounces. This provides a more accurate nutritional picture for consumers.

Enhanced Visual Clarity

The label's design was updated for better readability. "Calories," "servings per container," and "Serving size" are now in larger, bolder fonts to help consumers quickly find key information. The footnote on %DV was also made clearer.

Dual-Column Labeling for Larger Packages

Packages that can be consumed in one sitting, like a 20-ounce soda, now require a dual-column label. This shows nutrition information both "per serving" and "per package", making it easier for consumers to understand the total nutritional impact of consuming the entire product.

Comparison of Old and New Nutrition Facts Labels


Feature	Old Label	New Label (2016 Revision)
Calories	Font size not emphasized.	Larger, bolder font.
Serving Size	Based on outdated consumption data.	Updated to reflect typical consumption habits.
Added Sugars	Not separately listed; included in "Total Sugars."	Clearly listed in grams and as a % Daily Value.
Vitamins Required	Vitamins A and C.	Vitamin D and Potassium (Calcium and Iron remain).
Nutrient Presentation	% Daily Value only for most nutrients.	Actual amount (mg/mcg) and % Daily Value for key vitamins/minerals.
“Calories from Fat”	Listed on the label.	Removed entirely.
Daily Value Footnote	Less descriptive.	Improved explanation of the % Daily Value.
Dual-Column Labels	Not required.	Required for certain packages that could be eaten in one sitting.

Conclusion: A Data-Driven Update for Better Public Health

The FDA's revision of the Nutrition Facts label was a comprehensive, data-driven process. Key considerations included current scientific understanding of diet and chronic disease, evolving American eating habits, and the need for clear, accessible nutritional information. Changes like listing added sugars and updating serving sizes empower consumers to make more informed choices. This approach ensures the label remains a relevant tool for supporting public health as dietary science advances.

Visit the official FDA website for a detailed overview of the changes to the Nutrition Facts label.

Frequently Asked Questions

The FDA revised the label to reflect updated scientific information, new nutrition research, and input from the public, particularly focusing on the link between diet and chronic diseases like obesity and heart disease.

Scientific evidence shows that it is difficult to meet nutrient needs while staying within calorie limits if more than 10% of daily calories come from added sugars. Listing added sugars separately helps consumers make more informed choices.

Serving sizes were updated to reflect the amounts of food and beverages that people actually eat and drink today, which in some cases are larger than the old reference amounts. This gives consumers a more realistic understanding of a product's nutritional value.

The revised label now requires Vitamin D and potassium, while making Vitamins A and C voluntary. Calcium and iron remain required. The change reflects shifts in common nutrient deficiencies in the American diet.

The line for "Calories from Fat" was removed because research shows that the type of fat consumed is more important for health than the overall amount of fat.

A dual-column label is required for certain packages, like a 20-ounce soda, that could be consumed in a single sitting. It shows nutrition information both on a "per serving" and a "per package" basis.

The FDA considered public health research and input from the public during the revision process, aiming to provide easier-to-understand nutrition information to aid in making healthier food choices.