Professional update for wellness  volunteers, program committee  members and professionals.  Client educational materials     are under development. 

           

The Nutrition Facts Label     

  

 

Sharon Francey Robinson, PhD, RD, LD  Associate Professor and Nutrition Specialist  June, 2016   

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

At a Glance: Highlights of the Final Nutrition Facts Label The FDA today finalized 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. 1. Features a Refreshed Design • The “iconic” look of the label remains, but we are making important updates to ensure consumers have access to the information they need to make informed decisions about the foods they eat. These changes include increasing the type size for “Calories,” “servings per container,” and the “Serving size” declaration, and bolding the number of calories and the “Serving size” declaration to highlight this information. • Manufacturers must declare the actual amount, in addition to percent Daily Value of vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium. They can voluntarily declare the gram amount for other vitamins and minerals. • The footnote is changing to better explain what percent Daily Value means. It will read: “*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.” 2. Reflects Updated Information about Nutrition Science • “Added sugars,” in grams and as percent Daily Value, will be included on the label. 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, and this is consistent with the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. • The list of nutrients that are required or permitted to be declared is being updated. Vitamin D and potassium will be required on the label. Calcium and iron will continue to be required. Vitamins A and C will no longer be required but can be included on a voluntary basis. • While continuing to require “Total Fat,” “Saturated Fat,” and “Trans Fat” on the label, “Calories from Fat” is being removed because research shows the type of fat is more important than the amount. • Daily values for nutrients like sodium, dietary fiber and vitamin D are being updated based on newer scientific evidence from the Institute of Medicine and other reports such as the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, which was used in developing the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Daily values are reference amounts of nutrients to consume or not to exceed and are used to calculate the percent Daily Value (% DV) that manufacturers include on the label. The % DV helps consumers understand the nutrition information in the context of a total daily diet. 3. Updates Serving Sizes and Labeling Requirements for Certain Package Sizes • By law, serving sizes must be based on amounts of foods and beverages that people are actually eating, not what they should be eating. How much people eat and drink has changed since the previous serving size requirements were published in 1993. For example, the reference amount 1

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used to set a serving of ice cream was previously ½ cup but is changing to ⅔ cup. The reference amount used to set a serving of soda is changing from 8 ounces to 12 ounces. Package size affects what people eat. So for packages that are between one and two servings, such as a 20 ounce soda or a 15-ounce can of soup, the calories and other nutrients will be required to be labeled as one serving because people typically consume it in one sitting. For certain products that are larger than a single serving but that could be consumed in one sitting or multiple sittings, manufacturers will have to provide “dual column” labels to indicate the amount of calories and nutrients on both a “per serving” and “per package”/“per unit” basis. Examples would be a 24-ounce bottle of soda or a pint of ice cream. With dual-column labels available, people will be able to easily understand how many calories and nutrients they are getting if they eat or drink the entire package/unit at one time.

Compliance Dates Manufacturers will need to use the new label by July 26, 2018. However, manufacturers with less than $10 million in annual food sales will have an additional year to comply.

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Press release  June, 2016    Nutrition Labels Get an Update    On average we spend about $4,500 annually on food per person.  The Nutrition  Facts Labels on food packages have been updated.  The new labels will help  inform consumers so they can select food products with the best nutritional  value.     Information about the amount of added sugars in a food product will now be  clearly stated on the Nutrition Facts label.  “Added sugars should not exceed 10%  of calories” said Dr. Sharon Robinson, Nutrition Specialist with the Texas A&M  AgriLife Extension Service.  “For the typical 2,000 calorie eating pattern that  would be 50 grams of added sugar.”    Many food packaging will have a Nutrition Facts label with dual columns.  Values  will be listed in both per serving and per package.  This will help consumers who  commonly consume an entire package such as a larger candy bar or bag of chips.      Robinson went on to say, “these Nutrition Facts changes will help consumers  better understand the contents and the consequences of the food they eat.  A  healthful eating pattern is associated with optimal health, productivity and  longevity.”   The labels will be introduced into the market over the next two to  three years.      The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offers educational sessions on food,  nutrition, and health.  Many events are at low or no cost.  To learn more about  the Extension programs offered in your community, contact your local County  Extension Agent.   

 

Nutrition Facts 8 servings per container Serving size 2/3 cup (55g) Amount per serving

230

Calories

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8g

10%

Saturated Fat 1g

5%

Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 160mg

0%

Trans Fat 0g

Total Carbohydrate 37g Dietary Fiber 4g

7% 13% 14%

Total Sugars 12g Includes 10g Added Sugars Protein 3g

20%

Vitamin D 2mcg

10%

Iron 8mg

45%

Calcium 260mg

Potassium 235mg

20% 6%

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source: Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides equal access in its programs, activities, education and employment, without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Nutrition Facts Serving Size 2/3 cup (55g) Servings Per Container About 8

Nutrition Facts 8 servings per container Serving size 2/3 cup (55g)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 230

Calories from Fat 72 % Daily Value*

Total Fat 8g Saturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 160mg

Total Carbohydrate 37g Dietary Fiber 4g Sugars 1g Protein 3g Vitamin A Vitamin C Calcium Iron

12 % 5% 0% 7% 12 % 16 %

Amount per serving

230

Calories

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8g

5%

Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 160mg

0%

Trans Fat 0g

Total Carbohydrate 37g Dietary Fiber 4g

10% 8% 20% 45%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Calories: 2,000 2,500 Total Fat Less than 65g 80g Sat Fat Less than 20g 25g Cholesterol Less than 300mg 300mg Sodium Less than 2,400mg 2,400mg Total Carbohydrate 300g 375g Dietary Fiber 25g 30g

10%

Saturated Fat 1g

7% 13% 14%

Total Sugars 12g

Includes 10g Added Sugars Protein 3g

20%

Vitamin D 2mcg

10%

Iron 8mg

45%

Calcium 260mg

Potassium 235mg

20% 6%

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source: Food and Drug Administration

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides equal access in its programs, activities, education and employment, without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity.

6/1/2016

According to the Food and Drug Administration, 70% of consumers look at nutrition labels when considering  the purchase of a new food. The purpose of the food label is to enable consumers to have an informed choice.   The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on May 20, 2016 the Nutrition Facts labels were going to  be updated after 20 years.

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6/1/2016

Why change the Nutrition Facts labels now?  There is well established scientific research linking nutrient intake to chronic disease risk.   The US population does not have an eating pattern consistent with dietary recommendations.  Both over  consumption and under consumption of dietary factors are prevalent.  For example: we consume too many  added sugars and not enough vitamin D and potassium.  This is why added sugars, vitamin D and potassium  information has been added to the Nutrition Facts label. By making nutrition information transparent, consumers will be able to compare food items and make healthier  choices.  

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6/1/2016

Many factors were considered in changing the Nutrition Facts panel.   For example, The recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise limiting added sugars to no more that 10% of  calories.  Currently added sugar information is not listed on food packages.  Therefore consumers are not able  to meet this recommendation.   In addition to the Guidelines, survey data and consumer studies were also used to determine typical serving  sizes of common foods.   The rule making process was accomplished in two phases.  First, the ruling was proposed.  Public comments  and citizen petitions were considered before  the final rule making was done.    Food companies have two years to comply. Companies will need to update their Nutrition Facts labels and  keep records available for audits.   Smaller food companies have three years to comply.  

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6/1/2016

Let’s look at the major changes in a Nutrition Facts labels. We will then discuss each change in more detail. I can’t help notice how much larger the Calories are.  This will make it easier for consumers when they are  shopping or comparing products. The Main emphasis is on CALORIES and serving size.   In addition: Daily Values are updated to reflect new values in recommend nutrient needs. Dietary fiber has been further defined.  A big change – noted in the press – is the addition of added sugars.  The nutrients listed have changed with vitamin A and C being replaced with Vitamin D and potassium. The foot note is simplified.   The Nutrition Facts panel is still based on a 2,000 calories which is a general rule of thumb for caloric needs. However, individuals may need more or less than 2,000 calories a day based on their age, gender and activity  level.

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6/1/2016

Let’s take a closer look at serving sizes. You may have wondered why Nutrition Facts labels are different than the recommended MyPlate serving sizes.   The serving size information listed on the Nutrition Facts label reflects common consumption patterns.  The  new Nutrition Facts labels are still based on typical consumption patterns not recommended serving sizes. Also, folks are often eating larger portions than in 1993 when the Nutrition Facts labels were introduced.   However, some food portions are smaller; this can be seen with single‐serve containers such as yogurt.  

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6/1/2016

The biggest change in serving size is that it will now reflect package size.  Often we eat the whole package – I  am thinking of different size candy bars and smaller bags of chips.  Since food intake is so often influences by  the size of the package, both serving and package information will be available to help consumers make better  decisions.  

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6/1/2016

Some of the Daily Values have changed.  The Daily Value is the recommended intake (or limit) expressed as  100% per 2,000 calories.   As new packaging with the revised Nutrition Facts rolls out – consumer who compare the Nutrition Facts on  older packages with new packages may be confused by differences in numbers.  These differences may not  necessarily indicate changes in food formulations.   Let’s consider the consumer who looks at her carton of yogurt.   20% Daly Value for Calcium was 200 mg; on the new label 20% Daily Value for Calcium will equal 260 mg.    Therefore the same 200 mg Calcium will list as 15% Daily Value but manufactures are not providing less calcium  in their product.  The labels have changed , not the products.  

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6/1/2016

Why did they remove the information ‘Calories from Fat’ from the new labels?

Number of calories from fat (30% or less was recommended;