Food labels were long due for a makeover--and now they may be getting one. Nutrition labels are getting their first overhaul in nearly 20 years. This change will likely not only impact what people choose to eat and drink, but may also help combat obesity in the United States.
So what changes are we likely to see on the food labels? The Food and Drug Administration has proposed changes that will place a bigger emphasis on total calories, added sugars and certain nutrients, such as Vitamin D and potassium, according to CNN. We'll likely see a difference in serving size requirements, as well. Currently, a single packaged item (like a can of soda) can contain two servings. Under the new changes, the item would have to count as one serving, which means that the calorie count on the back of the label would have to change.
The FDA will release two versions of the proposed label to the public. The labels will be debated and considered for the next 90 days, according to Detroit Free Press. Then, changes will be implemented. How long these changes will take, though, remains to be seen.
What's most interesting about these changes is the change to serving size. Because one bottle would count as one serving, the amount of calories (while not changing) might look like more to consumers since multiple servings would not be able to be contained in one beverage. This, in particular, may help curb the tide of obesity in the U.S.
These changes will "prevent companies from using these large single-serving packages and pretending they are multiple servings," said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in an interview with Detroit Free Press.
Obesity is an ongoing issue. In fact, a recent study found that one third of Americans are still obese and while rates of obesity have gone down in young children, they still remain high in adults.
Currently, we'll have to see if the new changes go through. But the food label makeover may just help consumers choose a bit more wisely while shopping at the grocery store.
