FDA proposes adding the percent daily value for added sugars to the nutrition/supplement facts panel.

  • In March 2014, FDA proposed major revisions to the nutrition and supplement facts labels for foods and dietary supplements.  Among many other changes, FDA proposed requiring the declaration of “added sugars” on the label.
  • On July 27, 2015, FDA issued a supplement to the proposed rule that would require inclusion of the percent daily value (% DV) for added sugars in nutrition labeling.  FDA developed a % DV for added sugars based on the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) recommendation that daily intake of calories from added sugars not exceed 10% of total calories.  FDA proposes a Daily Reference Value (DRV) for added sugars of 50 g for adults and children older than 4; and 25 g for children aged 1 through 3.
  • FDA’s decision to highlight added sugars in nutrition labeling has elicited mixed reactions from the food industry, with many asserting the lack of a scientific distinction between naturally-occurring sugars and added sugars and others questioning the strength of the scientific evidence regarding a specific limit on sugar intake.  Notably, FDA has not proposed a % DV for total sugars.  The Agency will accept comments on the supplemental proposed rule until October 13, 2015.