Nutrition Facts Info and Changes

In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the Nutrition Facts label — the first major overhaul in two decades. The purpose was so we, as consumers, could make healthy, informed food choices—thereby reducing preventable diseases caused by poor nutrition.

Companies had until 2021 to alter their labels to be compliant. Here are a few changes your favorite foods made.

Calories – Maybe you've never looked beyond the number of calories in your food. Or perhaps you've been tricked by the serving size versus the calories in the whole pack. If that's the case, you'll be glad to know that serving sizes and calories are now in larger, bolder typeface and easier to find.

Daily values – Daily values tell you if a food meets or exceeds the number of nutrients you need to consume each day. However, you want to monitor ingredients, such as saturated fats, sugars and sodium. The new label has updated saturated fat percentages and "added sugars" in addition to the "total sugars" already listed.

Vitamins listed – Vitamins A and C won't be required on labels anymore since deficiencies in these nutrients are rare today. Instead, labels will list vitamin D and potassium—which are lacking in many Americans' diets.

Vitamin content – When it comes to nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium, potassium and iron, you won't just find out what percent of your daily recommended intake your food contains. For example, rather than just telling you a serving of Cheerios has 10% of the vitamin D you need daily, the label also indicates 2mcg of vitamin D.

Visit the FDA website for a side-by-side comparison of the old and new labels.

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