Nutritional Labeling Analysis at Great Plains Analytical Laboratories
Nutritional labeling analysis is an important component of Great Plains Analytical Laboratory’s comprehensive list of analytical testing services for the food and beverage industry. Our high-quality analyses, superior customer service and fast turnaround times delivered at a competitive price ensures customer satisfaction.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates food labeling and has published guidelines for information that is displayed on a food label. In May, 2016, the FDA published the final rules for the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods to include additional scientific information, such as the link between diet and chronic diseases, allowing consumers to make better informed food choices. It also reflected serving sizes of foods, dual-column labeling, and updating, modifying, and establishing certain reference amounts customarily consumed.
Several items that have been removed from the current nutritional labeling: 1) they no longer require ‘calories from fat’, as the type of fat may be more important than the amount; and 2) percentages of vitamins A & C, since the deficiency of these vitamins is rare.
Four major changes to the nutritional labeling panel that consumers should be aware of are:
- A bigger, bolder font for serving size, servings per container, and calories per serving.
- Realistic servings sizes – the FDA has adapted what it deems as “common” serving sizes to best help guide consumers.
- Added sugars – a new feature – to differentiate between the sugar found naturally in foods and sugar added throughout the production process.
- New nutrients featured – Vitamin D and potassium will now be featured on the label, as well as calcium and iron. Vitamin A and C are now voluntary. The manufacturer has the option to declare the gram amount for other vitamins and minerals. The footnote will explain more fully what the Daily Value actually means, to 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.”
These are just the highlights of the current nutritional labeling system in place today.
Great Plains Analytical Laboratory welcomes the opportunity to assist you in meeting the new regulatory requirements. We provide every client with reliable, accurate, and properly formatted Nutritional Labeling information. Contact Great Plains Analytical Laboratory today for your nutrition labeling analysis – we stand ready to assist you with all of your food safety and food quality testing needs.
Great Plains Analytical Laboratory – Scientific Expertise in Food Safety and Quality Testing.
