Based on the latest updates from late 2024 and early 2025, the FDA has introduced significant changes to food labelling aimed at making nutritional information easier to understand at a glance. Here are the key changes:
1. Mandatory Front-of-Package (FOP) Labels
The most significant update is the proposal for a mandatory “Nutrition Info Box” on the front of most packaged foods. This is designed to complement the detailed Nutrition Facts panel on the back: https://www.cspi.org/cspi-news/fda-proposes-mandatory-front-package-nutrition-labels
2. Interpretive Ratings: Low, Med, High
Instead of just listing grams or milligrams, the new FOP labels will classify three specific nutrients of concern as “Low,” “Medium,” or “High” based on their percentage of the Daily Value (DV): https://www.traceone.com/resources/plm-compliance-blog/the-us-fdas-new-front-of-package-fop-nutrition-label-rule-a-complete-overview
· High: 20% or more of DV
· Medium: 6–19% of DV
· Low: 5% or less of DV
3. Focus on Three Key Nutrients
The new regulations specifically target three nutrients that Americans typically consume in excess, contributing to chronic diseases: https://foodmedcenter.org/updated-fda-guidelines-for-2025-including-healthy-food-labeling-how-they-compare-to-the-2016-guidelines-and-what-it-could-mean-for-health-consumers-and-manufacturers/
· Saturated Fat
· Sodium
· Added Sugars
4. Updated Definition of “Healthy”
The FDA has updated the criteria for when a food can claim to be “healthy” on its packaging. This update aligns the claim with current nutrition science and the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: https://www.fda.gov/media/185202/download
5. Visual Design Enhancements
Building on the 2016 revamp, the 2025 guidelines continue to emphasise readability with larger, bolder calorie counts and updated serving sizes that reflect how people actually eat today rather than idealised portions: https://foodmedcenter.org/updated-fda-guidelines-for-2025-including-healthy-food-labeling-how-they-compare-to-the-2016-guidelines-and-what-it-could-mean-for-health-consumers-and-manufacturers/
The compliance dates for the new FDA labeling regulations vary depending on the specific rule, but here are the key deadlines the stakeholder would need to know:
· Uniform Compliance Date (2028): The FDA recently announced that January 1, 2028, will be the uniform compliance date for all final food labeling regulations published between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026 https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-issues-uniform-compliance-date-food-labeling-regulations-published-january-1-2025-december-31
· Food Traceability Rule (2028): While originally set for 2026, the FDA and Congress have extended the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule to July 20, 2028 https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-requirements-additional-traceability-records-certain-foods
· ‘Product of USA’ Voluntary Labelling (2026): For companies choosing to use the voluntary ‘Product of USA’ or ‘Made in the USA’ labels, enforcement of the higher standards (requiring animals to be born, raised, and processed entirely in the U.S.) begins January 1, 2026 https://www.wiley.law/alert-USDAs-Product-of-USA-Rule-Takes-Effect-What-Food-Companies-Must-Know-Before-January-2026
· Earlier Regulations (2026): Any final food labeling regulations issued in calendar years 2023 and 2024 have a uniform compliance date of January 1, 2026 https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-issues-uniform-compliance-date-final-food-labeling-regulations
Additional Information: https://www.fda.gov/food/guidance-documents-regulatory-information-topic-food-and-dietary-supplements/labeling-nutrition-guidance-documents-regulatory-information
