(Image via FDA / WhiteHouse.gov)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a “modern” Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods on Friday in an effort to help Americans make healthier food choices, according to a press release.
Notable changes to the Nutrition Facts label include an updated design that highlights “calories” and “servings,” a declaration of “added sugars,” and a requirement that serving sizes "more closely reflect the amounts of food that people currently eat."
Accordingly, packages typically consumed in one sitting – such as soda or a bag of chips – must now be labeled as one serving.
The White House released a statement on Friday praising the FDA's modernized Nutrition Facts label as "a significant landmark achievement supporting the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative in its ongoing efforts to support raising a healthier generation."
“I am thrilled that the FDA has finalized a new and improved Nutrition Facts label that will be on food products nationwide,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “This is going to make a real difference in providing families across the country the information they need to make healthy choices.”
The White House insists the revamped label reflects "the latest science" and "most relevant nutrition information."
Food manufacturers must start using the new label by July 26, 2018.
"Manufacturers with less than $10 million in annual food sales will have an additional year to comply with the new rules," the FDA writes.