FDA Proposes Adding %DV for Added Sugars on Nutrition Facts Label

FDA today proposed including the percent daily value (%DV) for added sugars on the Nutrition Facts label of packaged foods, giving consumers additional information for added sugars similar to information they have seen for decades with respect to nutrients such as sodium and certain fats.

In March 2014, the agency proposed sweeping changes to update the two-decade-old Nutrition Facts label for packaged food, requiring disclosure of “added sugars" and mandating a larger font size for calories as part of a number of comprehensive changes intended to reflect modern science and promote healthier diets. The proposed rule did not include the declaration of the percent daily value for added sugars.

The percent daily value indicates how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet and would help consumers make informed choices for themselves and their families. The percent daily value would be based on the recommendation that the daily intake of calories from added sugars not exceed 10 percent of total calories.

The current Nutrition Facts label requires the percent daily value to be listed for total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, calcium and iron. FDA also is proposing to change the current footnote on the Nutrition Facts label to help consumers understand the percent daily value concept. The proposed statement on the label would be shorter than the current footnote to allow for more space on the label, stating: *The percent daily value (%DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

FDA considered the scientific evidence the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) used that showed  it is difficult to meet nutrient needs while staying within calorie requirements if one exceeds 10 percent of total calories from added sugar, and determined the  information supports this daily value for added sugars.

FDA is seeking public comment on the proposal for 75 days. The agency continues to review comments received on the 2014 proposed rule and is reopening the comment period on its March 2014 proposal for 60 days to invite public comment on two consumer studies related to label formats. The agency will consider comments on the original and this supplemental proposed rule before issuing a final rule. The proposed rule on serving size requirements, also issued in March 2014, is not affected by the supplemental proposed rule on the Nutrition Facts label released July 24.