Understanding the Nutrition Facts Label, the Updated “Healthy” Claim, and Other Nutrition Claims

Why It Matters

Clear labeling and an updated ‘healthy’ claim shape consumer decisions and incentivize manufacturers to reformulate products, with direct implications for public health outcomes and food industry compliance. Understanding percent DV, serving sizes and added-sugar disclosures helps consumers make better comparisons and can influence market demand for healthier products.

Summary

FDA nutrition officials used a National Women’s Health Week webinar to walk consumers through the Nutrition Facts label, common on-package nutrition and health claims, and the agency’s recently updated definition of the “healthy” nutrient-content claim. Presenters reviewed label fundamentals—serving size, calories, the 14 mandatory nutrients (including added sugars and vitamin D), voluntary nutrient declarations, and how percent Daily Value (DV) helps shoppers assess whether a product is low or high in specific nutrients. Speakers also traced the label’s regulatory history from the 1990 Nutrition Labeling Education Act through major updates in 2006 and 2016 and highlighted the label’s role in driving industry reformulation (notably reductions in trans fat). The session emphasized practical guidance for reading labels to support healthier dietary choices amid chronic disease concerns like heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Original Description

In observance of National Women's Health Week (NWHW) 2026, the FDA Office of Women’s Health (OWH), hosted a free virtual public webinar presented by nutrition experts from the FDA’s Human Foods Program (HFP). The webinar discussed the essential components of the Nutrition Facts Label and how to use serving sizes and daily values to quickly identify healthier options. It also explained the different types of nutrition claims, including but not limited to, health claims and nutrient content claims that may appear on food and supplement labels. Learn more at https://www.fda.gov/consumers/womens-health/national-womens-health-week-nwhw