The Nutrition Facts Panel that we have all come to know and love is getting a makeover. The change is meant to include new findings in science and nutrition while more accurately reflecting the information most important to consumers. It is long overdue, as the requirements haven’t changed in over 20 years.

The Changes

The changes include a much larger calories declaration, bolder types and updated daily values. The move to place added sugars on the panel has also won out. One of the most talked about changes is to the serving sizes. They will now more accurately reflect how Americans eat (not 5 chips in a sitting) and many are happier about the change.

Manufacturers who sell more than $10 million in food a year will have until the January 1st, 2020 deadline to adopt the new labels. Manufacturers who sell less than $10 million will have until 2021 to make the change.

Expanding the Deadline

The new Nutrition Facts Panel requirements go into effect in a few short weeks, but manufacturers are asking for more time. The initial announcement came out in May 2016, but many in industry are saying that this just wasn’t enough time. Manufacturers have been lobbying FDA to extend the deadline to give more time to get into compliance. FDA has announced that it does not intend to take enforcement action related to nutrition labeling for 6 months following the deadline. This will give companies time to comply without receiving FDA enforcement of the new requirements.

Many companies have already put the new format to use, and consumers will start seeing more of it as we move into 2020 and beyond.