Michelle Obama introduces new US nutrition labels

First Lady Michelle Obama has unveiled new changes to US nutrition labels, the most sweeping overhaul in more than two decades.

Calorie counts will appear in larger type and added sugars will be signified on edible consumer products.

The changes have been proposed in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Our guiding principle here is very simple, that you as a parent and a consumer should be able to walk into your local grocery store, pick up an item off the shelf and be able to tell whether it's good for your family," Ms Obama said on Thursday.

"I think that we all can agree that families deserve more and better information about the food they eat," she added.