The FDA announced sweeping changes to food and beverage labels on May 20, 2016. These changes will require manufacturers of food and beverages who sell their products in the U.S. to create new labels that will be easier for consumers to read.
What are the Upcoming Label Changes?
There are quite a few differences between the existing labels and the updates. Some of the biggest changes include the following:
- Serving Sizes have been updated to reflect what people (on average) actually eat rather than what manufacturers want to appear on the labels.
- Calories will be highlighted in larger letters than other nutritional information.
- Servings Per Container and Serving Sizes will also have larger font sizes than what is on current labels.
- The Number of Calories and Serving Sizes will appear in bold type.
- There will be a new category on labels for added sugar.
- “Per serving” and “per package” designations will be required for multiple serving packages.
- Actual grams for vitamins and minerals will replace the percentage of the recommended daily values currently on labels.
- Vitamins A and C will no longer be required on package labels.
The FDA hopes the new labels will make it easier to stem the tide of the obesity epidemic sweeping the country by making important details really stand out for consumers to quickly scan the packaging when making purchases.
What do the Labelling Changes Mean for Consumers?
Not only are the new labels easier for consumers to read, they are easily scannable so that important information stands out with bold print in order to draw attention to the details. This allows consumers to make better informed decisions about the food products and beverages they buy.
The fact that they are easier to read means that consumers will not be tempted to make poor nutritional decisions because they are hurried through supermarket aisles or have a hard time reading the small print on labels.
What Businesses Need to Know about Compliance
Food and beverage manufacturers do not need to make the changes right away, but they do need to start thinking about compliance. According to the FDA, food and beverage manufacturers who have annual sales of $10 million or greater per year must comply by July 26, 2018. Those who have sales lower than $10 million annually have an additional year to comply with the new labeling requirements.
Contact Louisville Label today to begin working on your updated food and beverage label needs and get a free quote. We are happy to help you roll out new labels that meet all of the FDA labeling requirements.
