June 17, 2016
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized the new Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. The updated label reflects new scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases, such as obesity and heart disease, making it easier for consumers to make better-informed food choices.
The final nutrition facts label:
- Features a Refreshed Design
- Reflects Updated Information about Nutrition Science
- Updates Serving Sizes and Labeling Requirements for Certain Package Sizes
Manufacturers will need to use the new label by July 26, 2018. However, manufacturers with less than $10 million in annual food sales will have an additional year to comply.
United States Issues Final Rule for Conventional Food and Dietary Supplements
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Food Labeling: Revision of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels, a final rule amending its labeling regulations for conventional foods and dietary supplements to offer updated nutrition information on the label to help consumers in keeping healthy dietary practices.
The amendments to the labeling regulations include:
- An updated list of nutrients that are compulsory or permitted to be declared
- Updated Daily Reference Values and Reference Daily Intake values that are established on current dietary recommendations from consensus reports
- Amended requirements for foods represented or purported to be specifically for children under the age of four years and pregnant and lactating women and the establishment of reference values precisely for these subgroups
- Revised format and appearance of the Nutrition Facts label
The final rule takes effect on July 26, 2016.
United States Issues Draft Guidance Regarding Qualified Facilities under Food Safety Modernization Act
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a draft guidance document to assist qualified facilities with hazard analysis and risk-based preventive control compliance.
The draft guidance takes the form of an FAQ document and addresses how to determine whether a business meets the definition of a “qualified facility,” and contains practical and detailed advice with respect to specific questions and issues that facilities may confront as they plan for compliance.
The FDA will be accepting comments on the draft guidance until November 14, 2016.