Core Viewpoint - The new national standard for nutrition labeling on prepackaged foods will implement a mandatory "1+6" labeling system, adding saturated fat and sugar to the existing components, effective from March 16, 2027, to better guide public awareness of hidden health risks, particularly in chronic disease prevention [1][5]. Group 1: New Labeling Standards - The new standard expands the previous "1+4" system (energy + protein, fat, carbohydrates, sodium) to include saturated fat and sugar, forming a "1+6" mandatory labeling system [1]. - Companies are encouraged to adopt the new labeling system before the official implementation date [1]. - The change aims to enhance public understanding of health risks associated with food consumption, particularly for chronic disease management [1][5]. Group 2: Importance of Saturated Fat and Sugar - Saturated fat and sugar are now mandatory labeling items, which is a significant upgrade for chronic disease management [5]. - High intake of saturated fat is linked to increased cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease risks, making it crucial for patients with heart conditions and obesity to monitor their intake [5][7]. - Sugar labeling is essential as it helps consumers understand the hidden sugar content in foods, which can lead to various health issues if consumed excessively [7][9]. Group 3: Consumer Awareness and Education - Consumers have expressed positive feedback regarding the new sugar labeling, indicating a desire for clearer information on sugar content in beverages [8]. - Many consumers are still unfamiliar with the Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) percentages, which indicate the proportion of daily recommended intake for each nutrient [8]. - The inclusion of saturated fat and sugar in core labeling will facilitate better food choices for consumers, promoting a balanced diet [9]. Group 4: Future Directions and Technology - The National Health Commission is advocating for the use of digital labels that allow consumers to access more detailed safety and nutritional information through QR codes [10]. - Digital labels can enhance readability and usability, particularly for older adults with visual impairments, by offering features like font scaling and voice recognition [10].

Core Viewpoint - The National Health Commission has announced a new national standard for food safety, which mandates the inclusion of "saturated fat" and "sugar" content on pre-packaged food nutrition labels starting from March 16, 2027 [1][4]. Group 1: Changes in Nutrition Labels - The new nutrition label format will change from "1+4" to "1+6", incorporating mandatory labeling of "saturated fat (or saturated fatty acids)" and "sugar" [4][6]. - The standard encourages companies to implement these changes before the official date of March 16, 2027 [4]. Group 2: Health Risks Associated with Nutrients - High intake of saturated fat is a major cause of increased blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C, leading to a higher risk of coronary heart disease [5]. - Excessive sugar consumption can lead to dental cavities, accelerate skin aging, and increase the risk of diabetes, gout, heart disease, kidney stones, and various cancers [5]. Group 3: Understanding Nutrition Labels - The nutrition label will indicate the percentage of daily nutrient reference values (NRV) for each nutrient, which can be expressed per 100 grams, 100 milliliters, or "per serving" [6]. - Mandatory components include energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and sodium, with the addition of sugar and saturated fat in the new standard [6].