A dairy-industry group is expressing concern over proposed changes to Nutrition Facts labels that might make milk and yogurt appear less nutritious. Under an overhaul unveiled by the US Food and Drug Administration earlier this year, the amounts used to calculate Daily Value (DV) percentages for three key nutrients would be increased: vitamin D, from 10 to 20 micrograms; potassium, from 3,500 to 4,700 milligrams; and calcium, from 1,000 to 1,300 milligrams. That would drop milk below the 20% threshold to be labeled as an excellent source of vitamin D, and milk and yogurt under the 10% cut-off for good source labeling for potassium.
In comments submitted to the FDA about the proposals, the International Dairy Foods Association complained that the changes mean such dairy foods will appear to have a lower nutritive value, even if no changes have been made to the product. The trade group warned that the recalculations have the potential to significantly change consumers perceptions of the nutritional profiles of certain foods.