Changes Ahead for the Nutrition Facts Label
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released a new Nutrition Facts Label, which will begin to appear on packaged foods in July 2018. The label is used to help consumers make choices that support a healthy diet.
Updates to the label will help people with chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes select foods that meet their unique dietary needs.
Since people with lupus are at higher risk for osteoporosis, doctors recommend eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D to keep bones strong. It is important to avoid foods heavy in salt and fat, especially for people taking corticosteroids, which can increase cholesterol and blood pressure.
Other changes:
- Provides clearer nutrition information than the previous version, making it easier for people with lupus to navigate the grocery store aisles;
- Includes information about ‘added sugars’ – extra sugars that manufacturers add to processed foods;
- Lists information about more nutrients, including Vitamin D;
- Indicates number of calories per serving in a larger type so they are easier to find, as well as updated serving size information that more accurately reflects how much people are likely to eat; and
- Includes new or updated Daily Values (DVs) – the standard amount of nutrients that physicians recommended consuming (or not exceeding) each day
The new label is based on scientific research, including evidence to support the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, nutrition intake recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, and nutrition intake information from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Visit the FDA's Labeling & Nutrition website to see the new labels and learn more about the coming changes.