The F.D.A. is finally doing something productive and positive. It has been a long two decades that consumers have let their eyes pass over the ever so important and bland nutrition labels on the bottom of their food products. However, these nutrition labels recently have received a much needed makeover.

One of the most controversial changes to the labels is that there will now be a separate line for sugars that are manufactured and added to the food. Many heath experts say that it is these sugars that have heavily contributed to the continued obesity problem in the nation today.

Additional changes include adjusted serving sizes which have been recalculated so they are easier to understand and prominently displayed. The calories will now be the most dominant line on the label, over taking the size of all other nutritional information. There are also some changes as to which vitamins are required to be displayed.

It will be months before this change could be made final. According to nyctime.com, the public will have 90 days to comment on the proposal. Once the changes are in place, companies have two years to put the revised label into effect.

Also according to nyctimes.com “Michael R. Taylor, the agency’s deputy commissioner for foods, estimated (the label change) would cost about $2 billion to carry out.”

These changes should have happened ages ago, the public should be thanking the F.D.A. that someone took initiative to help America take a step into a healthier future. It’s also great that there are many changes happening to the label and not just one. The fact that serving size, calories, and sugars have all been adjusted is a miracle. It will be easier for lazy and uninformed Americans to see what they are putting into their bodies every day.

Nyctimes.com also spoke with FDA commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg who said that this change might have a positive effect on the companies that are manufacturing the food. “Detailing calories and portion sizes can be a strong market incentive for food companies to adjust what they put in food, she said. For example, when the agency last tinkered with labels, adding a category for trans fats in 2006, companies soon reduced the amount they added to food.”

Let this label change inspire consumers to be more aware of what they consume and put into their body day after day. The nutrition label should not become a monotonous white and black symbol that goes unseen and ignored. Make it a point to look and study the nutrition label before going through the check out line at the grocery store.

Although this may be just a small change in the scheme of things, it can help Americans into the right direction. Take initiative and acknowledge the helpful changes in the label, and allow them to increase your quality of life.