Nutritional Labeling Analysis Examining Current Trends

GPAL-nutritional-Labeling-Analysis-Current-Trends-Standards

Nutritional labeling analysis for the food and beverage industry is routinely performed at Great Plains Analytical Laboratory. Nutritional labeling has undergone many changes since 1972 when the agency proposed regulations that specified a format to provide nutrition information on packaged food labels.

Most recently, in May 2016, the FDA announced a new revision to the 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. FDA published the final rules in the Federal Register on May 27, 2016. The new label is already appearing on packages even before it is required to be used. Manufacturers with $10 million or more in annual sales must switch to the new label by January 1, 2020; manufacturers with less than $10 million in annual food sales have until January 1, 2021, to comply.

Some of the key revised elements of the nutritional labeling analysis today include:

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.

There is also the trend that has rapidly emerged into the discussion and debate among the scientific community is the use of the “clean label.” Consumers are demanding it and food manufacturers are producing it, formulating products to generate labels that are simple to understand and specifically addresses consumers’ concerns. Basically, the consumers are looking for foods that have a minimum number of preservatives, antioxidants, and other ingredients, or so-called “additives”.

Current trends that are influencing changes in the Principal Display Panel (not pertinent to the actual Nutrition Facts Panel) includes consumer preferences for gluten-free, organic, non-GMO and locally produced foods. Many brands are turning to distinct iconography (such as the Non-GMO Project) on packaging labels that include these attributes. Manufacturers often voluntarily provide information on their labels beyond what is required by the NLEA regulations. Their reasons for doing so may have to do with marketing or providing information of specific interest to their customers. FDA’s main concern within the context of NLEA & Nutrition Information is that such voluntary labeling be truthful and not misleading.

Great Plains Analytical Laboratory welcomes the opportunity to assist you by providing reliable, accurate nutritional labeling analysis. Contact Great Plains Analytical Laboratory today.

GPAL – Scientific Expertise in Food Safety and Quality Testing.