Understanding the FDA Label Changes: What You Need to Know
A new decade is arriving. 2020 will bring a new FDA labeling system quite different than what we’ve been used to for the past 20+ years. Not only is there new lingo, there are new nutritional requirements. So, before you get too confused by what you’re going to be seeing on labels everywhere, read this article so you understand what to expect with all the new FDA nutritional labeling changes.
Why Is The FDA Changing the Label?
There are a few reasons the FDA decided to change the labels for foods and supplements. One is that there is a large portion of the U.S. population at-risk for chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and more. With the new label, people will have an easier time understanding what they are taking, and eating.
There is also a hope that the new design will significantly increase the use of the label which will result in people making more informed choices leading to healthier options.
The New Label Vs. The Old
Label switchover compliance is based on sales revenue. If a manufacturer has over $10 million in sales, then the deadline is January 1, 2020 for a complete label redo. If the manufacturer is under $10 million in sales, then they have an additional year and must comply by January 1, 2021. Due to the way American’s eat, along with advancements in the science of nutrition, we now have a more effective way to make better informed decisions regarding our health from what we eat to the vitamins we take.
Dietary Components To Limit
We all know there are certain ‘ingredients’ in our foods that we should limit in order to live a healthier lifestyle. It isn’t always so easy to do, of course. However, the following components should be limited. For your health.
Sugar: Less than 10 percent of your calories should come from sugar per day. That’s not to say an occasional indulgence day isn’t allowed. Unless, of course, it isn’t allowed.
Saturated Fats: Like sugar, less than 10 percent of your daily calories should come from saturated fats.
Sodium: Less than 2,300 mgs of sodium is the recommended daily allowance, which is down 100 mgs from 2,400 mgs.