CHICAGO – November 28, 2017 – This month, NAMA formally requested that the FDA extend the compliance date for front-of-pack (FOP) Calorie Disclosure on products sold in vending machines to align with the FDA’s proposed extension of the Nutrition Facts Label, approve the font size for FOP, and finalize signage for gums, mints, and roll candy. With these actions, the FDA can reduce consumer confusion, eliminate duplicative and costly package redesigns, and provide operators flexibility to meet FDA’s Calorie Disclosure requirements.

In October, the FDA proposed extending the compliance date for the revised Nutrition Facts Label until 2020; a move NAMA supports. However, an extension for Calorie Disclosure in glass-front vending machines was not included in their proposal.

“This misalignment will require food manufacturers to redesign their packaging multiple times; increasing costs and potentially confusing consumers and operators” said Jason Eberstein, NAMA’s Director of State and Federal Government Affairs. “By simply aligning the dates, the FDA will streamline the process of providing this valuable information to consumers and ease burdens on manufacturers and vending operators,” added Eberstein.

With an extension, the FDA will have the necessary time to finalize the required font size for front-of-pack Calorie Disclosure and detail the proper signage for the labeling of gum, mints, and roll candy. In NAMA’s request to the FDA, NAMA advocated for a font size that is at least 150% of the size used for the net quantity of contents statement. Additionally, NAMA urged FDA to allow compliance by a sign in close proximity to gum, mints, and roll candy noting that “Gum, Mints, and Roll Candy Provide 25 Calories or Less Per Serving.” This will benefit both operators and consumers with a simple, yet compliant disclosure method.

To see NAMA’s full letter to the FDA, click here: http://bit.ly/2zNRqzc.