Nutrition Facts panel: Proposed changes expected in early 2014
First it was scheduled for late 2011, then we were told it would be early 2012, then sometime in 2013… But the FDA is, erm, definitely, going to publish a proposed rule the Nutrition Facts panel very soon.
A spokesman told us this week: “It will issue early in 2014. We can't be more specific than that.”
The FDA has not discussed the scope of the proposed rule on the Nutrition Facts panel, but is expected to look at serving sizes, daily values, adjustments to label formats and additional nutrient declarations
Don't eat this all at once! Serving sizes
As for serving sizes, many people would like to see an end to labels that list two servings per container for products that are clearly designed to be consumed in a single eating occasion:
The Food Labeling Modernization Act
Separately, there have also been calls for sweeping changes to food labeling laws covering everything from ‘natural’ claims to whole grain statements, in the form of The Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2013 - unveiled by Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) and Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn) and Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) in September.
This says the FDA should establish a standard front of pack nutrition labeling system for all products, make firms label caffeine and added sugar on pack, and make ingredients labels easier to read.
It also says manufacturers should not describe as ‘natural’ products that contain artificial ingredients (including nature identical synthetic ingredients); or ingredients that have undergone “chemical changes” such as corn syrup, chemically modified starch, and cocoa processed with alkali.
However, legal experts contacted by FoodNavigator-USA believe its chances of success are slim.