Within the last year, the FDA has started improving nutrition fact labels to more accurately depict what’s in the food we’re consuming. These changes show progress toward a more knowledgeable and precise approach to the decisions we make before consuming food.

Some of these changes are directly in line with what those privy to the Ketone Conversation already know, such as that the type of fat being consumed is more important than total fat content and that added sugars can be harmful to our bodies.

“You will no longer need a microscope, a calculator or a degree in nutrition to figure out whether the food you are buying is actually good for our kids.”

-Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States

Check out the 6 major changes you need to know:

1. Servings

   Serving sizes have been updated to more accurately reflect what people today actually eat and drink. An example of this change would be changing the serving size of ice cream to ⅔ cup instead of ½ cup. The font size and boldness of the “serving size” and “servings per container” facts have also increased to stand out more on the label.

2. Calories

   The font size and boldness of the “calories” fact has increased to be more noticeable to consumers. Calories = energy. If you aren’t expending energy, you’re storing it.

3. Fats

   The “calories from fat” fact has been removed because research has shown that the amount of fat content isn’t as important as the type of fat being consumed. This further proves the benefits that essential fats can have on the body.

4. Added Sugars

   It is now required that any “added sugars” must be included on the label, either in grams or as a Percent Daily Value (%DV). According to scientific data, nutrient needs are harder to meet while staying within calorie limits if you consume more than 10% of your total daily calorie intake from added sugars.

5. Nutrients

   The required list of nutrients on labeling has been updated to reflect a more accurate depiction of the needs of Americans. Since many Americans don’t always get the recommended amount of Vitamin D and Potassium, they are now required on nutrition labeling. Vitamins A and C are no longer required on labels since deficiencies in these vitamins are rare in today’s society. The daily values for nutrients (%DV) have also been updated to more accurate percentages. Get ready to up your spinach and walks in the sun!

6. Footnotes

   The footnote at the bottom of each nutrition label has been updated to display a more accurate meaning of Percent Daily Value (%DV). The %DV helps consumers understand nutritional statistics within the context of a typical daily diet.

The date that manufacturers will have to comply with final updated labels is July 26, 2018, and manufacturers with less than $10 million in annual food sales will have an additional year to make the necessary label changes. Keep charging! YOU are moving the Ketone Conversation forward!

Click to view full size

Click to view full size