What’s Now? Chapter 8 – Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label

Marketing practices — and laws that govern those practices — are always changing. Chapter 8 discusses food product labels. Recently the Food and Drug Administration made changes to the nutrition facts label that appears on the side of packaged foods. The new label reflects the latest scientific information on how foods — in particular sugar — contribute to an unhealthy diet. For full details, we refer you straight to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website, “Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label” (May 20, 2016).

Review the press release at the FDA website (link above). List three changes to the label that help it comply with the Federal Packaging and Labeling Act discussed in chapter 8. Do you think these changes will change consumer behavior? In what ways? Why? How do you think these changes will change packaged food producer’s behavior?