Volume
6, Number 8 - August 2005
IN THIS ISSUE:
|
About Food Consulting Company
"Karen and her staff have always gone
the extra mile to help us provide our
customers with accurate, understandable
information. I really have enjoyed working
with them and have recommended
FoodLabels.com to many others."
– Dan Holtz, Vice President &
Co-Founder
Liz Lovely, Inc.
|
Greetings! Food Consulting Company invites you
to check out the newly improved online order
system at
www.foodlabels.com.
Documents can now be submitted electronically as
attachments to the online order form. The new
online ordering system is the latest step to
provide clients with efficient and expert food
labeling help. |
FDA Policy on Food Labels Terms
is Summarized
Because of the many inquiries from clients
regarding use of the terms -- natural, vegan and
vegetarian, and whole grain and 100% whole grain
-- Food Consulting Company requested
clarification from FDA on the Agency's policy
for use of the terms. No regulatory definition
exists for any of the terms. An FDA spokesperson
explained:
Natural -- FDA policy on the term is
that the Agency will not restrict the use of
the term "natural" on food labels except for
those foods that contain artificial flavors,
chemical preservatives, and added colors (from
any source) as defined in 21CFR101.22. This is
consistent with a Federal Register notice
published on January 6, 1993,
accessible on page 2407 (near the end) of the
following link:
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/1993-92-31504.pdf.
Vegan and Vegetarian -- FDA considers
the terms to be types of diets. The Agency has
not, and does not intend at this time, to
develop regulatory definitions for those
terms. The terms can be used on labels as long
as they are truthful and not misleading.
Whole Grain and 100% Whole Grain -- The
2005 program priorities for FDA's Center
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition included
a B-list goal to develop a strategy to
initiate rulemaking on claims for whole
grains. B-list goals are not necessarily
accomplished the year they are listed and in
fact FDA has not reported on any progress this
fiscal year. For now, the terms can be used on
labels as long as they are truthful and not
misleading.
Commentary: Consumers who care about
products labeled with the mentioned terms have
expectations, and retailers often have their own
criteria for products they will accept bearing
these terms. Manufacturers put themselves at
risk of unwanted FDA scrutiny of label claims
and/or loss of retail shelf space if label
claims do not match expectations. Food
Consulting Company helps food labeling clients
use the label terms so that the claims are
consistent with consumer and retailer
expectations, and ensures that all label
statements are truthful and not misleading.
Request help with label terms at
www.foodlabels.com.
|
FDA Explains "And/Or" Ingredient Labeling
In a July 5, 2005, letter, FDA advises the soft
drink industry to review ingredient statements
and assure that the sweetening ingredients in
the products are listed accurately; use of
"and/or" ingredient labeling of nutritive
sweeteners in soft drink products is not
permitted.
From May 1997, to November 2004, FDA exercised
enforcement discretion because of a pending
proposed rule that would permit "and/or"
labeling. By notice published in the Federal
Register of November 26, 2004, the proposed rule
was withdrawn as part of FDA's steps to reduce
the Agency's regulatory backlog so that
resources could focus on current public health
issues.
Read
FDA letter.
Read Federal Register notice of withdrawal:
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/04-26234.htm
Commentary: "And/or" ingredient labeling is
sometimes, but rarely permitted. Food Consulting
Company will develop or review ingredient statements for
compliance with FDA regulations. For service,
choose Full Label Compliance or Regulatory
Research at
http://www.foodlabels.com/orderpage.htm.
|
FDA Requests Input for
"Gluten Free" on Food Labels
On August 19, 2005, FDA is holding a public
meeting to gain stakeholder input to help define
and permit the use of the term "gluten-free" on
food labels. The Agency is requesting that
comments address ten questions that are
included in a meeting notice in the July 19,
2005, Federal Register. The questions relate to
food manufacturing practices, gluten detection
methods in use, and consumer issues regarding
reduced levels of gluten in food.
See meeting notice and questions for comment:
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/05-14196.htm
Commentary: In July 2005, Food Label News
reported on steps FDA is taking to establish the
amount of gluten below which it would be
unlikely to elicit harmful effects in celiac
disease patients. See archive:
http://www.foodlabels.com/archive/2005_07.htm
|
FYI: Food
Consulting Company offers quick tips and a label
sample for
2006-Compliant Food Labels:
http://www.foodlabels.com/2006.htm |
Get more from
Food Label News: Send
topic suggestions.
Need help now on a Regulatory Question? Submit at
http://www.foodlabels.com.
Please share this newsletter in its entirety, including subscription and copyright information.
© Food Consulting Company, 2005
13724 Recuerdo Drive, Del Mar, CA 92014 USA
tel 800-793-2844 or 858-793-4658
fax 800-522-3545 or 858-712-3323
www.foodlabels.com |
|