Concerns Over New FDA Regulations on Nutrition Labels

Overview of FDA Regulations

Commentators express concerns that the newly published regulations by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding nutrition facts labels may prompt manufacturers to alter the vitamin and mineral content in fortified foods and supplements. These regulations, established under the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) of 1990, mandate that food manufacturers disclose nutritional information on product packaging. This initiative aims to assist consumers in making informed dietary choices.

Daily Value Percentage and Serving Sizes

The labels must present nutritional information as a Daily Value (DV) percentage per serving. The serving size is determined by the Reference Amount Customarily Consumed (RACC), which reflects the typical quantity of food consumed by one person in a single eating occasion. The DV percentage indicates the proportion of the recommended daily intake for each vitamin or mineral contained in one serving of the food or supplement.

Historical Context of Labeling Requirements

The labeling requirements established with the NLEA relied on DVs based on the Reference Dietary Intake (RDI) values developed by the National Academy of Sciences in 1968. Additional RDIs for some nutrients were incorporated in 1995 based on recommendations from 1980 and 1989. These values have remained consistent in FDA labeling regulations since then.

Recent Changes Introduced by the FDA

In May 2016, the FDA announced new labeling regulations that modify the DV for most vitamins and change the units of measure for many nutrients. Additionally, the RACC will be adjusted upwards for certain food categories. These updates aim to reflect evolving consumption habits and scientific insights regarding the relationship between diet and health issues such as obesity and heart disease. Initially set to become mandatory on July 26, 2018, the FDA has indicated a likely extension for compliance.

Key Changes in Nutritional Guidelines

The new regulations will implement several important changes:

– RDI values have been reduced for eight vitamins and six minerals, including vitamin A, natural vitamin E, the B vitamins, zinc, selenium, copper, chromium, molybdenum, and chloride.
– RDI values have been increased for three vitamins and five minerals, including vitamin C, calcium, vitamin D, synthetic vitamin E, vitamin K, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and potassium.
– Significant reductions in RDI include a 90 percent decrease for biotin and a 60 percent decrease for vitamin B-12.
– The largest increase affects vitamin D, which has risen from 400 IU (10 mg) to 20 mg (a 100 percent increase).
– Units of measurement for vitamins A, D, E, and folic acid will shift from International Units (IUs) to other units that may be less familiar to consumers.
– RACCs will be adjusted to increase serving sizes for various food categories.

Research Findings on Nutritional Impact

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition explored the potential effects of the new FDA regulations on the nutrient density of packaged foods. The authors expressed concern that these changes could motivate manufacturers of enriched or fortified foods and supplements to reformulate their products, thereby altering nutrient content.

The study results indicated potential responses from manufacturers that could impact the nutritional density or its representation on packaging. Key concerns noted by researchers include:

– Changes in RDIs may affect the quantity of nutrients required to maintain appealing nutritional claims on packaging.
– Products with decreased RDIs may display a higher percentage DV, despite no actual change in nutrient content.
– Manufacturers may reduce the amount of nutrients added to their products to maintain previous percentage DVs in light of lower RDIs.
– Increases in RACC may allow manufacturers to present higher percentage DVs, despite no change in actual nutrient density.
– Larger serving sizes could enable manufacturers to reduce the concentrations of vitamins and minerals while still maintaining previous percentage DVs.

Implications for Public Health

The authors of the study emphasize the importance of nutrient intake from fortified foods and supplements in supporting adequate public nutrition. A decline in the nutrient density of these products could significantly affect consumer health, especially among vulnerable populations where obtaining nutrients from whole foods is more challenging. Researchers recommend that the impact of these regulatory changes on food quality and public health be closely monitored.

Source

Written by Linda Jensen
Source: McBurney et al, Implications of US Nutrition Facts Label Changes on Micronutrient Density of Fortified Foods and Supplements, J Nutr doi: 10.3945/jn.117.247585