The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking to give Nutrition Fact labels a makeover by being more transparent about sugar content found in packaged foods. And they’re asking YOU to be part of the decision-making process.
On July 24, 2015, the FDA issued a press release proposing that the percent daily value (%DV) for added sugars on Nutrition Facts label be included as a way to give consumers additional information about the foods they are consuming.
www.fda.gov
Just as many of the other components of packaged foods have a percent daily value present, this would be one more step in the direction of food transparency that could assist people in keeping their sugars in check. The percent daily value (%DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
The current label requires the percent daily value be listed for total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, calcium and iron. These are measured typically in grams or milligrams and are also assigned a percentage value based on how much of a daily value that particular food will provide of those given elements.
Sugar currently only has a gram measurement, but not a percent daily value.
The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) summarized scientific data regarding added sugars and found that it is difficult to meet nutrient needs while staying within calorie requirements if one exceeds 10 percent of total calories from added sugar, and has determined that this information supports this daily value for added sugars. The DGAC also recommended that Americans limit their added sugars intake to less than 10 percent of total calories.
So, where do you fit in to all of this?
According to a press release, which can be found here, the FDA is seeking public comment on the proposal for 75 days as of July 27, which means they will be taking comments until October 10, 2015. You can make a public comment here. The FDA will use these comments and feedback on the proposal, as well as DGAC recommendations to craft the final edition of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines.
So, if you’d like to see the FDA take the next step toward promoting consumer awareness and sugar content in packaged foods, let them know! If you think it’s fine the way it is, let them know! If you have another suggestion or comment–you guessed it– let them know!
Also, let us know –what do you think of this proposal?
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