In May of 2016, the FDA announced a newly designed Nutrition Facts label for processed and packaged foods with a compliance date originally marked for July 26th, 2018. That has now been extended to January 1st, 2020, or 2021 depending on the manufacturers’ annual food sales. We at North Coast decided to move forward and honor the original date in order to ensure that our consumers have the facts clear. Based on the latest scientific data, these changes will help consumers make better-informed, healthier food choices. The nutritional fact label first started appearing on food products since 1973, driven by the desire of consumers to better understand what was in the foods they purchased.

What’s new on the redesigned label?

  • For the first time, the label will point out the grams of “added sugars,” as well as the percentage of recommended daily limit.
  • Serving sizes that more closely reflect the actual amount that people typically eat of that product.
  • Showing “calories” and “serving size” in print that is larger and easier to read.
  • Noting both “per serving” and “per package” calorie and nutrition information for certain foods.
  • Labeling packages that are between one and two servings as one serving, since consumers typically consume “the whole package.” For example, a large beverage.
  • Updated daily-recommended limits for sodium and recommended daily values for dietary fiber and vitamin D.
  • Showing the amount and percentage daily value of vitamin D and potassium.

The problem with added sugars

We at North Coast Organic are especially appreciative that the new Nutrition Facts label points out added sugars. According to the American Heart Association, added sugars contribute zero nutrients, but their calories can lead to extra pounds or even obesity, thereby reducing heart health. If you consume more than 10 percent of your total daily calories from added sugar, scientific data shows that it is difficult to meet daily nutrient needs, while staying within desired calorie limits.

Added sugars are sugars and syrups that are added to foods or beverages when they are processed or prepared. Added sugars aren’t always easy to find when you look at a list of food ingredients because sugar has many other names. To tell if a processed food contains added sugars, you have to look carefully at the list of ingredients on the packaging label. Besides those ending in “ose,” such as maltose or sucrose, other names for sugars include: high fructose corn syrup, molasses, cane sugar, corn sweetener, raw sugar, syrup, honey, or fruit juice concentrates.

Consumers today are paying closer attention to not only the amount of sugar in a product, but the kind of sugar or sweetening agent being used. According to a recent consumer study performed by Kerry, sugar is the most important nutritional feature driving purchase today. Their findings show that 71% of US consumers now read the labels for sugar content, 46% want to lower their consumption of sugar, and 50% want to know exactly what type of sweetener is being used. Great job consumers!

North Coast Organic products contain no added sugars

North Coast Organic does not use added sugars in our products. Instead, our apples and other fruits ripen naturally to bring out all of their natural sweetness. The longer it takes to process apples after they are picked, the more likely they are to lose their naturally intense fruit flavor. Our apples are exceptionally fresh when they arrive at our Sebastopol facility to be processed into our delicious apple sauces and juices because we use only USDA certified organic apples that are grown right here in the United States.

We are very excited about the new food and beverage Nutrition Facts label, because you, our customers, deserve to know what you are putting into your body. With North Coast, you can be sure that our ingredients are pure, fresh, and clean, and you can only feel good about that!

North Coast Organic apple products are made in Sebastopol, CA from U.S. grown certified organic apples. They contain no added sugars, preservatives, colorings or flavorings. For questions on this article, or to obtain more information on our products, please contact us here.