Menu labeling and Nutrition Facts labeling are both governed by the FDA but their regulations fall under different acts. While there are some similarities between the two types of labeling they vary in what nutrition information is required and how it is displayed. Menu Labeling was established under the Affordable Care Act of 2010 is based on the “old” 1990 retail labeling criteria, which does not include nutrients such as added sugars. Retail labeling is governed by the Nutrition ... Full Article
Potassium on the Nutrition Facts Food Label
In 2016 the Nutrition Facts food panel (NFP) was updated to include potassium. It became mandatory in 2020 to list potassium on the NFP. The nutrient was added due to a public health concern of widespread underconsumption of potassium in the U.S. population. It is an essential nutrient for health. Potassium has been identified to help maintain blood pressure, preserve calcium stores in bone, and help the kidneys work efficiently. The International Food Information Council (IFIC) has a ... Full Article
FDA Nutrition Facts Label Rounding Rules
When you work with On The Menu you don’t need to concern yourself with the FDA rounding rules because we do the rounding for you. That said, it’s not uncommon for a client to ask us how the rounding rules work. Having that information at your fingertips can be helpful, so we’ve pulled the rounding rules for the nutrients found on the current standard Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP). NutrientIncrement RoundingCalories < 5 cal – express as 0 ≤ 50 cal – express to nearest 5 cal increment ... Full Article
Percent Daily Value (%DV) for Protein
Based on FDA recommendations, the Daily Value for protein is 50g per day. Generally, a Nutrition Facts label has no Percent Daily Value (%DV) for protein on display. While it may seem like a simple calculation to determine the %DV of protein based on the grams of protein in a food, more distinction is required. Protein is made up of amino acids that fall into two categories, essential and nonessential. The essential amino acids are what we obtain from food and cannot be made by the body. ... Full Article
Servings Per Container
The number of servings per container is the first line on a Nutrition Facts panel unless it is a single serving, which allows omitting that information. Determining the number of servings per container is straightforward, but there are nuances when rounding is applied. Basic rounding rules apply to the servings per container on a Nutrition Facts panel if the number of servings isn't an exact whole number. Whole number rounding applies when there are less than two or greater ... Full Article
