The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed certain changes to Nutrition Fact labels on food packages, to highlight key parts of the label such as calories and serving sizes.
The agency stated that the revisions reflect the latest scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease.
Proposed changes would require information about the amount of 'added sugars' in a food product, declaration of potassium and vitamin D, update serving size requirements to reflect the amounts people currently eat.
The new labels would feature 'dual column' to indicate 'per serving' and 'per package' calorie and nutrition information, with revised daily values for a variety of nutrients, while 'Calories from Fat' would be removed.
FDA commissioner Margaret A Hamburg said that for 20 years consumers have come to rely on the iconic nutrition label to help them make healthier food choices.
"To remain relevant, the FDA's newly proposed Nutrition Facts label incorporates the latest in nutrition science as more has been learned about the connection between what we eat and the development of serious chronic diseases impacting millions of Americans," Hamburg added.
First Lady Michelle Obama said, "Our guiding principle here is very simple: that you as a parent and a consumer should be able to walk into your local grocery store, pick up an item off the shelf, and be able to tell whether it's good for your family.
"So this is a big deal, and it's going to make a big difference for families all across this country."
FDA's foods and veterinary medicine deputy commissioner Michael R Taylor said that by revamping the Nutrition Facts label, FDA wants to make it easier than ever for consumers to make better informed food choices that will support a healthy diet
The proposed changes are applicable to all packaged foods except certain meat, poultry and processed egg products, which are regulated by the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Image: The new label proposed by the FDA. Photo:courtesy of U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
