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Volume 16, Number 7 - July 2016

Hello from Food Label News. Summer is in full swing as is our understanding of the new food label regulations. As industry begins to formulate how these will affect their portfolio of products, we take a closer look at the graphic changes in Part 2 of the New Nutrition Label Series. We look forward to your questions and conversation in the Food Label Community on LinkedIn. Happy Summer.

In this issue you'll find:

 

"You have found a niche and fulfill a need in the food industry. We have utmost confidence in your expertise and refer our clients who require nutrition labeling or advice on package labeling regulations that are unclear."

– Patricia P. Groves  
Groves & Company  

A Closer Look at Graphic Changes:
Part 2, New Nutrition Label Series

What's News in the Food Label Community

Reader Q&A: Net contents in Canada

 

Karen C. Duester, President


A Closer Look at Graphic Changes:
Part 2, New Nutrition Label Series

At first glance, the refreshed design we've seen since 1993 looks familiar indeed. The overall footprint of the Nutrition Facts graphic stays the same. However, closer examination shows the subtle changes that will make food labels easier to read, helping consumers make healthier food choices.

Reader Favorites

The magnitude of change for food labels: 8.8 on the Richter scale

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Here are the graphic changes:
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The biggest change in the look is the size of the calorie content – in fact, larger than the title Nutrition Facts.

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The larger, bolder serving size is now visually more prominent than servings per container and better communicates how much is in a serving.

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Servings per container is now listed more explicitly with the number first (Example: "8 servings per container" instead of "Servings Per Container 8").

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Capitalization is also different in the upper 2 sections of the label.

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Horizontal rules are heavier to more effectively separate content areas.

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Hairline rules above and below Saturated Fat, Trans Fat and Dietary Fiber now extend full width to give greater distinction to the Added Sugars line.

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The footnote is significantly shorter – a welcome change for industry.

See a side-by-side comparison of graphic changes shown on an original versus a new Nutrition Facts label.

Next month we continue with Part 3 of the New Nutrition Label Series: Nutrients News - What’s in, what’s out and what’s changed. If you missed Part 1, click here for what you need to know.

When do these new label graphics take effect? The earliest date for industry to begin using labels that comply with the new regulations is July 26, 2016. For companies with $10 million or more in annual food sales, 100% of inventory must comply with the new regulations within 2 years, by July 26, 2018. Companies with less than $10 million in annual food sales have an extra year to comply, with all inventory phased in by July 26, 2019. Despite these absolute compliance dates, industry may want to consider phasing in inventory sooner to ensure the most contemporary looking labels.


What's News in the Food Label Community

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Nutrition labeling compliance date (33+ comments)

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Vermont GMO labeling (12+ comments) and (5+ comments)

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Nutrition Facts label: Added sugars (12+ comments)

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Processing aid ingredient labeling (11+ comments)

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Declaration of net contents on kits (9+ comments)

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Reader Q&A

Find answers to our readers' questions or send us your question for an upcoming issue.

Q.

What are the rules about declaring net contents in Canada?
M.S., Illinois, Manufacturer 

A.

Canadian food labels must express net quantity declarations in metric units of measure. Non-metric units may also be used as long as the metric is placed first and there is no intervening information between the two including marks, punctuation, parentheses or brackets. Read More.


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