Food label history

History of the U.S. nutrition facts label

If you are a food manufacturer, you probably know how important it is to have a reliable and compliant nutrition facts label for your products. And if you are a recovering food addict, you must become adept at finding and interpreting ingredients listed on packaged and canned food labels.

How the nutrition facts label came to be and how it has changed over the years is an interesting history that involves food manufacturers, a woman supporting her mother’s health, the government, software databases and computers.

 

Food Label History

What is the nutrition facts label?

        • The nutrition facts label is a standardized panel that provides information about the nutrient content of a food product
        • It was first introduced in 1990 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA)
        • The NLEA aimed to help consumers make informed choices about their food and health by requiring most packaged foods to bear nutrition facts labels
nutrition facts label

The first version of the nutrition facts label had 13 mandatory nutrients: calories, calories from fat, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, sugars, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. It also had a footnote that explained the percent daily values (%DV) based on a 2,000 calorie diet. The label format was designed to be easy to read and understand by using horizontal bars and bold fonts.

Genesis R&D was launched in 1991 by ESHA Research, a company founded by two dietitians who wanted to create a comprehensive database of food and nutrient information. Genesis R&D was one of the first software programs that allowed food manufacturers to create nutrition facts labels using the FDA’s regulations and guidelines. Genesis R&D also provided features such as recipe analysis, ingredient statements, allergen declarations, nutrient content claims, and more.

ESHA Research was established in 1981 by Elizabeth SHands and Associates. Hands had been looking into the connection between nutrition and her mother’s health issues, and discovered an alarming lack of information, so she began compiling her own data. When researchers and academics took interest in the database, Robert Geltz, her husband and ESHA’s co-founder, used his then-nascent programming skills to manage the data and create a software program to make the data useable to others.

Over the years, the nutrition facts label has undergone several changes to reflect new scientific evidence and consumer preferences.

Some of the major changes include:

  • In 2003, the FDA required trans fat to be added to the label as a separate line under total fat
  • In 2006, the FDA updated the %DV for some nutrients based on the latest Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)
  • In 2016, the FDA finalized a new rule that revised the nutrition facts label to emphasize calories, added sugars, and serving sizes. The new label also updated the %DV for some nutrients and removed calories from fat
  • In 2018, the FDA extended the compliance date for the new label to January 1, 2020 for large manufacturers and January 1, 2021 for small manufacturers
  • In 2020, the FDA issued a temporary policy that allowed some food manufacturers to use labels without a %DV for vitamin D and potassium due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
nutrition label

Genesis R&D allows food manufacturers to create both old and new versions of the nutrition facts label, as well as Canadian and Mexican labels. Genesis R&D also offers tools for creating Supplement Facts labels, Restaurant Menu labels, Child Nutrition labels, and more.

The nutrition facts label is an important source of information for recovering food addicts who must be aware of the ingredients in packaged food to make appropriate food addiction informed food shopping choices to maintain their daily abstinence with a structured meal plan.

Background info

Must-Listen! Dr. Bonnie Nolan Unveils the Science of Addiction

Dear INFACT Community,

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of addiction and recovery? Episode 32 of the Food Addiction Podcast is here, and it’s a game-changer!

We’re thrilled to feature Dr. Bonnie Nolan—a neuroscientist, Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a powerful voice in the food addiction space. With a PhD in neuroscience and years of hands-on experience, Dr. Nolan brings unparalleled insight into the brain’s dopamine response and its role in addiction.

But here’s what makes this episode truly extraordinary:

  • Dr. Nolan’s personal recovery journey from alcohol and food addiction.
  • Eye-opening connections between childhood trauma, ACEs, and addictive behaviors.
  • Why ultra-processed foods must be recognized as addictive substances in the DSM-V.
  • The remarkable ability of the brain to heal through recovery practices.

Dr. Nolan’s passion and expertise light up this episode, offering inspiration, hope, and practical guidance for anyone affected by addiction. Whether you’re in recovery, a healthcare professional, or simply curious, this episode will leave you feeling empowered and enlightened.

Warm regards,
Esther Helga Guðmundsdóttir
Founder, INFACT School

Tune in now!

The International School for Food Addiction Counseling and Treatment (INFACT) is thrilled to announce new training modalities for 2025! We’re expanding our certification opportunities to offer greater flexibility and accessibility:

📅 Two Certification Periods:

  • March 2025 Start Date
  • September 2025 Start Date

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Let’s make a difference together. Stay tuned for more updates! 🎓

Sign up today!

We’re thrilled to announce the Monthly Guest Lecturer Series, featuring the biggest names and brightest minds in food addiction research and treatment! This is your chance to learn directly from the pioneers shaping the field, including:

  • Dr. Vera Tarman, MD – Renowned addiction expert and author of Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction.
  • Nicole M. Avena, PhD – Leading neuroscientist and author of Why Diets Fail, specializing in the science of food addiction.
  • Susan Peirce Thompson, PhD – New York Times bestselling author and founder of Bright Line Eating.
  • Robert H. Lustig, M.D. – World-famous endocrinologist and author of Fat Chance, known for his expertise in sugar addiction and metabolic health.

…and many other trailblazing thought leaders!

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This is an incredible opportunity to hear directly from the experts driving change in how we understand and treat food addiction. Whether you're a professional or simply passionate about the topic, these lectures will empower and inspire you.

Message us to learn more!
📚 Must-Read Recommendation for the INFACT Community!

We are honored to present H. Theresa Wright's newest book, The Sane Food Solution: Transform Your Relationship with Food and Change Your Life. This is an essential read for anyone affected by food addiction and a valuable resource for all INFACT students.

If you’ve ever struggled with your relationship with food or felt trapped in cycles of compulsive and addictive eating, this book is here to guide you toward a path of peace, freedom, and joy.

Written by a pioneer in the field of disordered eating, The Sane Food Solution offers a compassionate and effective approach that has transformed thousands of lives. Inside, you’ll find:

  • Insightful Strategies to navigate emotional and psychological eating triggers.
  • Nutritional Expertise tailored to support lasting health and well-being.
  • Holistic Approaches to address the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of food-related issues.
  • Practical Tools like written exercises and a structured recovery program to empower sustainable change.

Whether you’re seeking personal recovery or expanding your professional knowledge, this book is a powerful tool for anyone ready to transform their relationship with food.

Don’t miss out—this is a must-read for our INFACT community!

➡️ Available now on Amazon.

Are you interested in discovering if you are a food addict?

The INFACT School now offers you access to a free diagnostic tool called the Yale Scale. If you’re curious to find out whether you might have a food addiction or just keen to see the self-report measure in action, you can complete the questionnaire below.

Once you complete the questionnaire, we will be in touch with the next steps to help you in your recovery process.

Complete questionnaire
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