In May, the final rules were released for the updated Nutritional Facts Label. Starting July 26, 2016, companies will have two years to comply with the changes. An extra year to meet compliance has been given to companies that do less than $10 million in annual food sales. To assist with updating food nutritional labels, EMSL Analytical, Inc. offers full Nutritional Labeling Services using both Laboratory Based Analysis and Database Analysis.
The new Nutritional Facts Label design has been created to improve how information is displayed to the consumer. Calories and serving size information has increased in font size and the footnote at the bottom of the label has been reworded to better explain Percent Daily Values. The calories from fat section has been removed and perhaps the most challenging and controversial change is a requirement for a statement “includes x grams of added sugars”. Changes to the definition of Dietary Fiber, requiring a demonstrated physiological benefit recognized by FDA, will impact how synthetic or isolated non-digestible carbohydrates can be claimed. Another change to the label is the micronutrients required. Vitamin D and potassium have been added in place of Vitamins A and C, which remain as voluntary nutrients.
In addition to changes in what is required on the Nutritional Food Label, serving sizes for all items have been updated based on current research for Reference Amounts Commonly Consumed (RACC), in a single eating occasion, and many have changed. New requirements of dual column labels for items packaged in large containers between one and half and three servings have been added. For example, a 12 ounce and a 20 ounce bottle will both state a serving size as one. However, the 20 ounce bottle can optionally display a second column listing the amounts per 12 ounce serving, while bottles from 24 ounces to 36 ounces will require the dual column format. Additionally, reference daily intakes have changed for many nutrients based on new dietary recommendations from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) from the National Center for Health Statics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Laboratory Based Analysis requires sending a physical sample of the product to EMSL. Then, the samples are prepped and analyzed by accredited methods to yield data that is specific and unique to the product. This approach can be used for virtually any food type. Database Analysis requires submitting the formula for the product, detailed information about each ingredient and product processing information to the testing laboratory. Typically, no physical sample is required. Database Analysis can be used for products that have common ingredients and products that have minimal processing, cooking, baking or drying. This method can only be used for human foods.
To learn more about nutritional labeling or other food testing services, please visit
www.FoodTestingLab.com or
www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email
info@EMSL.com.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.
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