Education
Food Labels and the FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a crucial role in regulating food labels to ensure consumer safety and informed choices:
- Nutrition Facts Label: Mandatory on most packaged foods, providing information on serving sizes, calories, and nutrients.
- Ingredient List: Required to list all ingredients in descending order by weight.
- Allergen Labeling: Must clearly state if a product contains any of the eight major food allergens.
- Health Claims: Regulated to ensure they are backed by scientific evidence.
- Organic Labeling: Overseen in conjunction with the USDA.
- Serving Sizes: Standardized to reflect amounts typically consumed.
- Trans Fat Labeling: Required since 2006, with a ban on artificial trans fats implemented in 2018.
- Added Sugars: Now listed separately from total sugars on the Nutrition Facts label.
- Gluten-Free Claims: Must meet specific FDA criteria.
- “Natural” Claims: Currently under review for more precise definition and regulation.
The FDA continually updates labeling requirements to reflect new scientific knowledge and consumer needs, aiming to help people make informed dietary choices.