Food Labelling II: FDA Regulations

Lecture 7: Food Labelling - II

• This lecture covers FDA nutrition labeling regulations in the USA, basic features of the current FDA nutrition label, and guideline daily amounts (GDAs).

FDA Nutrition Labeling Regulations in USA

• Prior to the mid-1970s, nutrition information on food labels was not consistently described.
• The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) started describing general nutrition information on food labels in the mid-1970s.

Nutrients and Food Components

• Consumer groups wanted information on macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) listed on labels.
• The total energy value (kilocalories/kcalories) of the macronutrient is crucial.
• Key micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat were also desired.

Current FDA Nutrition Labeling Regulations

• The current nutrition labels on supermarket products are a result of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA).
• The NLEA was developed by the FDA.

Basic Features of the Current FDA Nutrition Label

• The label has five main areas:
  • Nutrients and energy
  • Serving size
  • Definitions for terms
  • Label formula
  • Health claim

Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs)

• Some pre-packaged foods provide information about GDAs.
• GDAs are derived from the Estimated Average Daily Requirements (EARS) for energy for men and women aged 19-50, with average weight and fitness.
• Revised GDAs were published by the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) in 2005.

Traffic Light Food Label

• The traffic light food label is a recommended method to help consumers make healthy choices.
• This approach uses color-coded indicators (e.g., green, yellow, and red) for fat, saturates, sugar, and salt content per serving.

1- Nutrients and Energy

• The NLEA mandates nutritional information for several components, including:
  • Protein (in terms of amino acid quality)
  • Calories (energy)
  • Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K)
  • Water-soluble vitamins (C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine [B6], folate, and cobalamine [B12])
  • Minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, and selenium)

3- Definitions for Terms

• To improve communication between producers and consumers, the FDA provides a dictionary defining terms like "free," "low," "lite/light," "less," "high," "source of," "fresh," and "reduced."

Daily Reference Values (DRVs)

• DRVs are included on the FDA nutrition label, providing values for:
  • Nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, total fat, saturated fat, fiber, cholesterol, sodium, and potassium.
  • Energy sources (fat, carbohydrates, and protein).
  • DRVs are based on a 2,000-2,500 kcal diet.

2- Serving Size

• A standard serving size is established for various food categories considering common eating quantities.
• These quantities are commonly presented in household measures.
• The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) provided standard serving sizes for meat and poultry products.

This quiz explores the FDA nutrition labeling regulations in the USA, including the history of nutrition information on food labels and the key features of current FDA labels. Learn about macronutrients and the essential guidelines for labeling set forth by the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990.