In 2016, the FDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outlined the new rules governing food labels and how that information is presented to consumers. The FDA estimated that the changes, which originally were to be in place by July 26, 2018, applied to almost 800,000 packaged products. Large food manufacturers with more than $10 million in annual revenue were required to make the switch by Jan. 1, 2020. Smaller companies — those with less than $10 million in annual revenue — have until Jan. 1, 2021.

The goal of the new nutrition labels is to enable consumers to make more informed food choices. Some of the features of the new nutrition label are:

• More prominent serving size and servings-per-container information
• Increased type size for calories
• Includes added sugars, in grams and as % Daily Value
• Required: The actual amount, in addition to % Daily Value, of vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium
• Footnote puts “% of Daily Value” into context

If you have already redone your labels due to the mandated U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules governing food labels you may carry on! However, many smaller food and beverage companies (those with less than $10 million in annual revenue) have until Jan. 1, 2021. Here is our take on some guidelines and why now is a good time to redesign your packaging.