More flexibility in Nutrition Facts placement

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) final rule on nutrition labeling gave manufacturers greater flexibility in the placement of the nutrition facts panel on packages.

By Bob Gatty and Cecelia Blalock, Washington Correspondents

The panel may be placed anywhere it can be readily seen by consumers when the principal display panel lacks sufficient space to accommodate required information. Space for vignettes designs and other nonmandatory information may be considered in determining the sufficiency of available space on the primary display panel but not on the information panel. The rule which took effect May 5 1995 applies to packages with a total surface area for labeling of greater than 40" square.