Approximately 90% of Americans are not consuming adequate choline in their diets according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. As a result, the FDA has established a Reference Dietary Intake (RDI) of 550mg of choline. Choline is a vital nutrient for brain and nerve function and the structure of cell membranes.

There are a number of significant changes to nutrients on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts labels, which will go into effect starting January 1, 2020, for larger food and supplement manufacturers. The FDA has added choline as voluntary nutrient on the Nutrient Facts Label, with a DV of 550 mg. Choline was not allowed on the Nutrition Facts panel under past regulations. 

“This is an opportunity for the supplement industry to educate their customers about choline,” states Moira Watson, Watson Inc.’s vice president of marketing and communications. “With the establishment of its daily value, consumers will be looking for foods and supplements that are good or excellent sources of choline.”

Watson Inc. has published a free, eight-page educational guide to choline for those working in food and supplement manufacturing industries, which is available as a free download on the company’s' website.

Please visit https://info.watson-inc.com/choline-a-nutrient-guide for a copy of Watson’s Choline Guide. The guide provides a clear overview of choline, its functions, concerns for pregnant and lactating women, its food sources, and the future of choline, as well as the effects of choline deficiency. 

About Watson Inc.

For four generations, Watson has striven to improve human health and wellness. We are committed to sharing our ideas and inspirations with our customers and to helping them reach their manufacturing goals. Watson is one of the highest quality suppliers of products and services geared towards enhancing human and pet nutrition around the world, and a leader in developing quality products and nutritional ingredient systems. Expertise in microencapsulation, agglomeration, micronizing, spray drying and film technology allows us to develop unique formulations. 

Learn more about Watson at www.watson-inc.com.

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