OK, Listen Up - The New Nutrition Labels are Here

As imperfect as they admittedly are, the nutrition labels on the foods we buy are our best quick and easy guide to what we are getting. And these have recently gotten a significant update. Effective January 1, 2020, large food manufacturers were required to change to the new labeling. Smaller producers have until January 1, 2021 to make the switch.

 Here is what you really need to know about the new labeling.

1. Everything is much easier to see. Larger type and bolding of key information means that you no longer need a magnifying glass to read everything.

2. Serving sizes have been adjusted to better reflect what actual people actually eat, instead of some fictitious number that often made little sense, and are given in both grams and some other common measurement (cups, ounces, etc.). 

3. Calories are much more prominent. In addition to calories per serving, packages containing 1 to 3 servings of product will also provide a calorie count for the entire package. Now you do not have to do the math to discover that the can of chili you just ate was 1,100 calories and not 370.

4. Perhaps the most important change was that the new labels now show not only the total amount of sugar in the product, but how much of it was added by the manufacturer (vs naturally occurring). Current guidelines are to limit added sugar from all sources to 50g per day (on a 2,000 calorie diet).

5. The old labels listed vitamins A and C, while the new labels show vitamin D and potassium instead. Most people get plenty of vitamins A and C, while vitamin D shortages are common and over 95% of Americans do not have enough potassium in their diets. The labels also now show the actual amounts as well as the percent daily values.

6. The "Calories from Fat" listed on the old labels has been omitted on the grounds that it provided no useful information. It is not simply the amount of fats consumed that is important, but the type of fat.

This is the first major update to nutrition labels in over 20 years. The refreshed design and updated information should make it easier for you to make informed food choices that contribute to lifelong healthy eating habits.