New Nutrition Labels: Challenges, Uncertainties, And Opportunities

By Kimberly Wingfield, Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA)

By Kimberly Wingfield, the Grocery Manufacturers Association

Many stakeholders are involved in the implementation of the new nutrition label requirements including raw ingredient suppliers, nutrition labeling software vendors, graphics design and packaging companies, food manufacturers, and private label brand owners. For a successful implementation, it is imperative that each of these key stakeholders develop a comprehensive knowledge of the new requirements.

On May 27, 2016, the FDA announced changes to the nutrition facts label to modernize the lay out and help consumers make more informed choices about their food selections. The changes include updates to nutrient declarations, reference amounts, serving size, and label formats. Most food manufacturers were given until  July 28, 2018 to comply, with the exception of companies with less than $10 million in sales who were given an additional year to comply.