Volume 6, Number 2 - February 2005

IN THIS ISSUE:

• 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Published

• Industry Seeks Consistency for New Food Labels Date

• CFSAN Report Card Includes Nutrition Labels Progress

• FYI: Requirements for 2006-Compliant Food Labels

Food Label News welcomes more than 300 new subscribers this month.  Food Consulting Company's goal with Food Label News is to be informed, keep our clients informed, and promote our premium food labeling services. 

2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Published

The 2005 edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans was released on January 12, 2005. According to law, Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) must review the Guidelines, that were first published in 1980, every five years. The Guidelines represent the federal government's science-based consensus to help Americans live healthier lives; they are the basis of nutrition education programs, including the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act.

The 2005 report gives advice on nine general topics:

• Adequate Nutrients Within Calorie Needs

• Weight Management

• Physical Activity

• Food Groups to Encourage

• Fats

• Carbohydrates

• Sodium and Potassium

• Alcoholic Beverages

• Food Safety

Read the Guidelines and background information: http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines/

Commentary:  The Guidelines advise people to achieve and maintain healthy body weights by balancing calories eaten with calories burned. The Guidelines do not advise in any way, the limitation of grams of carbohydrate as a means to achieve and maintain healthy weight; choosing whole grain products and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables is encouraged under the carbohydrate guideline.

An FDA spokesperson has confirmed that the Agency received a letter from a group of 14 trade associations that asks the agency to establish consistent "triggers" for the food allergen and trans fat labeling effective date. The letter explains that both labeling requirements are effective January 1, 2006, however the "trigger" for the food allergen requirement is "date of labeling" and for trans fat requirement is "introduction into interstate commerce." The letter asks FDA to establish January 1, 2006 as the "date of labeling" for both requirements. According to the FDA spokesperson, FDA has not yet, but will respond directly to the letter senders. The spokesperson gave no indication of how FDA will respond.

American Frozen Food Institute has posted the letter on its website.
See: http://www.affi.com/harmonizationletter.pdf

Commentary:  Regardless of FDA's decision on this request, Food Consulting Company is advising clients to have 2006-compliant label print plates ready (with trans fat and food allergen requirements) as soon as possible - definitely by the time of the next label printing.

On January 18, 2005, the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition issued the end-of-year report on the Center's 2004 program priority accomplishments. The report identifies 22 completed priorities for the category of Nutrition, Health Claims, and Labeling. In part, the list includes activities related to: Obesity Working Group, Cooperation with FTC for Enforcement Against Misleading Claims, Serving Size Declaration, Nutrition Information in Restaurants, Qualified & Unqualified Health Claims, Nutrient Content Claims (including trans fat claims), Dietary Guidance Statements, Nutrient Content/Health Claims Petitions, Enforcement Activities for Inappropriate Labeling of Conventional Foods.

Access CFSAN Report Card: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cfsan105.html

Commentary: All of the accomplishments listed above have been reported in Food Label News  (formerly INTOUCH) as they occurred. For background, see the 2004 newsletter archive at http://www.foodlabels.com/newsletter.htm. Many of the accomplishments will receive continued attention by FDA and Food Label News will report on developments as they occur.

For food allergen labeling requirements, see: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/alrgact.html

For trans fat labeling requirements, see: http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/transfat

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