FDA Proposes Additional Revisions to the Nutrition Facts Label

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is proposing additional revisions to the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. The supplemental proposal would, among other things, require declaration of the percent daily value (%DV) for added sugars. The proposed rule is a supplement to the March 3, 2014 proposed rule on updating the Nutrition Facts label. The percent daily value indicates how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet and would help consumers make informed choices for themselves and their families.

The percent daily value would be based on the recommendation that the daily intake of calories from added sugars not exceed 10 percent of total calories.

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) recently summarized scientific data related to added sugars. The FDA considered the scientific evidence that the DGAC used, which showed that it is difficult to meet nutrient needs while staying within calorie requirements if one exceeds 10 percent of total calories from added sugar, and has determined that this information supports this daily value for added sugars. The DGAC also recommended that Americans limit their added sugars intake to less than 10 percent of total calories. This and other recommendations from the DGAC, which is an independent advisory committee, will be considered in the development of the final 2015 Dietary Guidelines.

The FDA’s initial proposal to include the amount of added sugars on the Nutrition Facts label is now further supported by newly reviewed studies suggesting healthy dietary patterns, including lower amounts of sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, are strongly associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

The FDA is also proposing to change the current footnote on the Nutrition Facts label to help consumers understand the percent daily value concept. In addition, the FDA is releasing results of its consumer studies on the declaration of added sugars and the footnote.

The FDA is seeking public comment on the proposal for 75 days. The agency continues to review comments received on the 2014 proposed rule and is reopening the comment period on its March 2014 proposal for 60 days to invite public comment on two consumer studies related to label formats. The agency will consider comments on the original and this supplemental proposed rule before issuing a final rule.

The FDA is accepting public comments starting July 27, 2015.

To electronically submit comments to the docket, visit http://www.regulations.gov.

To submit comments to the docket by mail, use the following address. Be sure to include docket number FDA-2012-N-1210 on each page of your written comments.

Division of Dockets Management
HFA-305
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

For more information:

• Federal Register Notice: Food Labeling: Revision of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels; Supplemental Proposed Rule to Solicit Comment on Limited Additional Provisions
• Federal Register Notice: Food Labeling: Revision of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels; Reopening of the Comment Period as to Specific Documents 
• Proposed Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label

Steve L. Morin
Acting Director, Cardiovascular & Endocrine Liaison Program
Office of Health and Constituent Affairs
Food and Drug Administration

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