FDA Food Labeling Laws
The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA) granted the FDA the authority to require nutrition labeling of most foods regulated by the Agency and to require that all nutrient content claims (i.e., 'high fiber', 'low fat', etc.) and health claims be consistent with agency regulations. Nutrition labeling is required for most all packaged foods, while voluntary nutrition information is suggested for many raw foods including raw fruits, vegetables and fish. (In a 1996 survey, the FDA found that more than 70 percent of U.S. food stores were complying with the voluntary labeling program.)
Nutrition information is also required for restaurant foods about which health or nutrient-content claims are made by restaurants on their menus, signs or placards. Restaurants have to provide a "reasonable basis" for making claims, but they are given flexibility in demonstrating the reasonable basis.
The FDA’s most recent rule requires that the amount of trans fat in a serving be listed on a separate line under saturated fat on the Nutrition Facts panel. However, trans fat does not have to be listed if the total fat in a food is less than 0.5 gram per serving and no claims are made about fat, fatty acids or cholesterol content. If it is not listed, a footnote will be added stating that the food is "not a significant source of trans fat.
To learn more about the nutrition label, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/label.html.
To learn more about the addition of trans fat to the nutrition label, go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qatrans2.html.