Buzz
After a span of nearly four years since our initial announcement, nutrition labels are undergoing a transformation. Calorie details are now more noticeable, 'added sugars' have been introduced, replacing 'calories from fat,' and the serving size often reflects the entire package. Step into the future.
These updates were expected to be implemented years earlier, but delays occurred. They are now mandatory for major corporations, with smaller businesses required to comply by January next year.
The focus on calories from fat has diminished significantly
The previous labels were created in the 1990s, during a time when the common recommendation was to restrict calories from fat to roughly one-third of your total calorie intake. However, the overall fat content in your diet isn’t as crucial as once thought, making that guideline less relevant.
Fat grams remain listed on the label, so if you wish to perform this calculation, simply multiply the fat grams by 9.
Listing added sugars is now mandatory
Earlier labels indicated the total sugar content in a product but failed to distinguish between naturally occurring sugars (like those in an apple) and added sugars (such as sugar or corn syrup used to sweeten applesauce).
Added sugar is chemically identical to naturally occurring sugar—there’s no nutritional difference. However, foods with added sugar often contain more empty calories, and displaying this information provides greater clarity about the processing of our foods.
Serving sizes are now more logical
Portion sizes for certain foods have been adjusted. For instance, the previous serving size for ice cream was an impractical half cup. It has now been increased to 2/3 of a cup, which, while still somewhat idealistic, is an improvement.
The most notable improvement is that many products must now show calorie and nutrient information per package. This means you might encounter dual-column labels, displaying calories per serving as well as the total calories for the entire product.
Some businesses are still adapting
While some companies updated their labels months or even years ago, others only complied starting January. Smaller businesses, those with annual food sales under $10 million, have until January 2021 to make the switch. We’re currently in a transitional phase, but the new labels will soon become standard.
