New 2020 (NLEA) Food Label Requirements

Over the years, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) has had many new updates and changes made to it, including new food label requirements beginning in January of 2020.

In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the NLEA as a Federal Law. This law gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to require that certain nutrition information be present on food labels. It mandates that all nutrient content claims must be printed on food labels and that these health claims and ingredients meet the FDA regulations.

Coming this January, the FDA has made more changes to its food label requirements.

These new rules include:

Larger bolder type for # of servings
Updated serving sizes
Larger type for calories
Added sugars
Updated daily values
Actual amounts of nutrients declared
Changes in nutrients required
New footnote

The FDA understands that many manufacturers have multiple different products that will require updated labels. As a result, they are giving them more time to update their labels.

All food manufacturers will be given 6 months (from the January 1, 2020 compliance date) to update their labels before enforcement actions are taken. During this grace period, the FDA plans to work with the manufacturers and cooperate to help them meet the necessary label requirements.

What does this mean for the industry?

An increase in food labels being updated and new orders being made for these items will be seen. They will now feature the new FDA required nutrition information on their labels.

Get ready for this possible increase in label demand with these changes!

Do these new food labeling regulations affect your brand? Learn labeling basics and discover the right solution for your brand by downloading our e-book, The Label Project Guide.