Greenburgh Public Library Blog

Your Health and Wellness: New FDA Nutrition Facts Food Label

On May 20, 2016, the FDA announced the new Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods to reflect new scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease. The new label will make it easier for consumers to make better informed food choices.

Some companies have already made the changes, and you can find their updated labels displayed on store shelves now. Over the next few years, all labels will transition to adhere to the new guidelines.

                                                                                   Old Label                                    New Label

New Label/What's Different

Highlights of the Final Nutrition Facts Label

 1. Servings

The number of “servings per container” and the “Serving Size” declaration have increased and are now in larger and/or bolder type. Serving sizes have been updated to reflect what people actually eat and drink today. For example, the serving size for ice cream was previously 1/2 cup and now is 2/3 cup.

There are also new requirements for certain size packages, such as those that are between one and two servings or are larger than a single serving but could be consumed in one or multiple sittings. 

 2. Calories

“Calories” is now larger and bolder.

3. Fats

“Calories from Fat” has been removed because research shows the type of fat consumed is more important than the amount.

4. Added Sugars

“Added Sugars” in grams and as a percent Daily Value (%DV) is now required on the label. Added sugars includes sugars that are either added during the processing of foods, or are packaged as such (e.g., a bag of table sugar), and also includes sugars from syrups and honey, and sugars from concentrated fruit or vegetable juices. Scientific data shows that it is difficult to meet nutrient needs while staying within calorie limits if you consume more than 10 percent of your total daily calories from added sugar.

5. Nutrients

The lists of nutrients that are required or permitted on the label have been updated. Vitamin D and potassium are now required on the label because Americans do not always get the recommended amounts. Vitamins A and C are no longer required since deficiencies of these vitamins are rare today. The actual amount (in milligrams or micrograms) in addition to the %DV must be listed for vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium.

The daily values for nutrients have also been updated based on newer scientific evidence. The daily values are reference amounts of nutrients to consume or not to exceed and are used to calculate the %DV.

6. Footnote

The footnote at the bottom of the label has changed to better explain the meaning of %DV. The %DV helps you understand the nutrition information.

Click here for more information about changes to the Nutrition Facts Label.

The Greenburgh Library has a great collection of cookbooks with recipes for a healthy diet.  Check them out in the catalog!

Or download an eMagazine or an eBook!

And did you know you can follow the New York Times Health Information newsfeed on the Greenburgh Library's Health & Wellness page?