FDA Extends Date for Compliance with New Nutrition Facts Label; Menu Labeling Rules Take Effect

The FDA has extended the date for compliance with the Nutrition Facts and Supplement Facts Label and Serving Size final rules.  As we previously reported, the rules were finalized in May 2016 and initially set a general compliance date of July 26, 2018. Manufacturers with annual food sales of less than $10 million were given an additional year to comply.

The FDA has now issued a Federal Register notice extending the compliance dates by “approximately 1.5 years.”

The Nutrition Facts labeling rules:

• Require an updated “Nutrition Facts” label with dual-column labeling for certain containers;
• Require mandatory declarations for “added sugars” in grams and as a percentage of Daily Value (% DV);
• Update the list of declared nutrients. Disclosure of vitamin D and potassium will be required. Calcium and iron will continue to be required. Vitamins A and C will no longer be required but can be included on a voluntary basis.
• Continue to retire “Total Fat,” Saturated Fat,” and “Trans Fat,” but no longer require “Calories from Fat,” since research shows the type of fat is more important than the amount.
• Update daily values for nutrients like sodium, dietary fiber and vitamin D; and
• Update serving sizes and labeling requirements for certain package sizes.

For questions or more information, contact the author or any member of our Retail team.