FDA updates Nutrition Facts Label educational resources

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated many of its nutrition education resources for the new Nutrition Facts label and has reminded teachers, parents and youth that these resources are available online.

The new label, which is based on updated scientific information and new nutrition research, is said to be the first major update to the label in more than 20 years. The updated information and new layout was designed to make it easier for consumers to make informed food choices that contribute to lifelong healthy eating habits. 

The FDA has the following resources available: 

• Snack Shack: This provides children (ages eight to 15) hands-on experience in understanding and using the Nutrition Facts label as a tool to compare snacks, make smart food choices, and build healthy lifelong habits. Two games are also available, Label Lingo and Snack Sort
• Read the Label materials challenge children ages nine to 13 to look for and use the Nutrition Facts label on food and beverage packages. The materials – available in English and in Spanish – include tips and targeted education to equip young people with label reading skills to achieve a healthy diet
• Science and Our Food Supply: A collection of free supplementary curricula about nutrition, food safety, and agricultural biotechnology. Designed for middle and high school classrooms, these guides provide activities and inquiry-based learning that link food safety and nutrition to students’ everyday lives. They are crafted to be “teacher-friendly” so that they can easily fit into science, health, and other classes
• Interactive Nutrition Facts Label: This aims to allow students to explore the updated label online and is said to be helpful for virtual learning. The online tool provides an overview of the label and each of its elements as well as an in-depth look at specific nutrients and their role in our daily diet.