Food producers have been gradually updating their packaging to the new Nutrition Facts label since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed updating portions of the label.
There are differences between the older and current Nutritional label creation software. Despite the fact that the goal of these labels hasn’t changed, being aware of the changes makes it easier for customers to select foods that are right for them.
The Nutrition Facts label tells us what the food contains
Food products have Nutrition Facts labels that describe the nutritional content, serving size and calories of a recommended serving.
Consumers can use this information to decide how much to eat, when to eat this food, and how to balance their food choices throughout the day more effectively.
A components label is present in addition to the nutrition facts label. This lists each ingredient in the food item, starting with the one with the highest concentration and ending with the one with the lowest concentration.
Here, consumers may learn about what is in their food, such as whether a product has whole grains or whether they have any allergies.
Is there anything new on the new label?
Several things have altered. The serving sizes and calorie counts on the label have undergone some minor formatting changes. The types of nutrients given have also been changed to better reflect the dietary requirements of Americans.
Formatting Modifications: The new label design’s appearance is among its more glaring formatting modifications. The number of calories is bolded and has a bigger font, as you can see.
The new label has somewhat changed how serving sizes are shown as well as eliminated information regarding the percentage of calories from fat.
The total serving sizes for the packaging are now indicated above the recommended serving size on the new label, which is in bold type.
A label may now have two columns, which is another change. Foods with numerous servings per container yet the ability to consume the entire container’s worth in one sitting are identified with a dual-column nutrition label.
This two-column list will provide both the nutrients and calories for the single serving that is advised as well as the data for the entire container.
This enables customers to choose how much food they would like to portion out to best meet their needs.
What dietary components have changed? Changes in nutrition include the switch from potassium and vitamin D to vitamins A and C.
Although vitamin A and vitamin C are still essential for a healthy and functioning body, most Americans don’t worry about these nutrients.
Iron and calcium are the two nutrients on the label that haven’t changed. According to studies, Americans have trouble getting enough potassium and vitamin D.
Along with a change in emphasis toward specific nutrients, the label also includes more details on how much sugar is present in certain food items.
The new label contains total sugars, added sugars, and fiber under the heading “carbohydrates.”
The nutrition label has always included total sugar and fiber, but a misunderstanding about sugar content has been added to better illustrate where the sugar comes from.
Sugar is a naturally occurring substance in some meals, including dairy and fruit. Additional sweeteners that are added to food are referred to as “added sugars.”
