Sugar Producer

18 Sugar Producer JANUARY 2020 Stick a Label on It 2020 brings a new Nutrition Facts Label. What does it mean for sugar? Whether you're one of the 80 percent of consumers who claim they at least sometimes use it, or the 20 percent that don't, we are all familiar with the Nutrition Facts Label found on the back of foods and beverages. The first label was introduced in 1994 following the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990, which turned the inclusion of nutrition facts information on packaged foods into law. Prior to this, only the product's name, quantity, ingredients and the name and address of the manufacturer were required. Nutrition information only appeared on products making a nutrition claim or if they were fortified with vitamins, minerals or protein. Time for a Refresh After nearly 25 years, the Food and Drug Administration decided it was time for an update to the label. In May 2016, new rules for the Nutrition Facts Label for packaged foods were issued. Manufacturers have been given until now, Jan. 1, 2020, to get these new labels ready. (Smaller manufacturers with less than $10 million in sales have an extra year). It also took a few years for the FDA to recognize that "added sugars" shouldn't appear on a bag or box of sugar, so manufacturers of single-ingredient sweeteners, like sugar, honey and maple syrup, also have additional time (until July 1, 2021) to make the changes. A New Look and New Information The new label has both an updated look and contains different information. The new design includes increased type size for calories, serving size and servings per container, and an updated footnote to better explain percent Daily Value. In terms of content, "Calories from Fat" is gone, Daily Values have changed and different nutrients are now required. Probably the most newsworthy update is the addition of "Added Sugars" to the label. In the past, there was just a "Sugars" line that covered added and intrinsic sugars combined. The FDA says the label updates reflect the current state of science to help meet public health needs. Another notable change to the label for sugar is an increased serving size—from 1 teaspoon to 2 teaspoons. About New Added Sugars Line The FDA's decision to include grams of "Added Sugars" and a percent Daily Value (10 percent of calories) strayed from the typical label decision-making. FROM THE SUGAR ASSOCIATION Courtney Gaine, R.D., Ph.D. | President & CEO

• Cover