Volume
7, Number 6 - June 2006
IN THIS ISSUE:
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About Food Consulting Company
"Food Consulting Company has
consistently provided us with reliable,
usable label and regulatory information,
quickly, and always with the patience we
look for in a quality service provider.
Every month this service is supported with
valuable information in the email newsletter
that allows us to plan ahead."
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Dear Readers,
With this issue, Food Label News introduces a
Reader Question/Answer spot. Readers are invited
to submit questions for consideration in
upcoming issues. Submitters of the top three
questions during 2006 (in terms of value and
broad appeal to Food Label News readers) will be
acknowledged with a $25 thank you check in
January 2007. |
Q. Where can I
find information on the U.P.C. barcode?
C.L., New Food Company Start-Up, Ohio
A. See *NEW*
Reader Q&A Page for
the answer.
To submit a question
for future consideration, please send us an
email. |
Natural On Food Labels Gets Attention
At least two consumer advocacy groups have taken
steps to raise industry and public awareness
that the term natural on food labels is not
truthful in all cases.
The Certified All Natural Association (CANA) is
a nonprofit organization that is "policing" the
labeling practices of products that claim to be
"all natural." According to a
CANA press release,
the organization has tested various products in
a third party lab finding that some "all natural"
claims are falsely made. The
organization intends to publicize mislabeled
products in the media and on its website.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest
(CSPI) threatened to sue a soft drink
manufacturer for labeling a drink "100% natural"
when the drink contained high fructose corn
syrup. According to a
CSPI press release,
the organization has complained to FDA
regarding misuse of the "natural" term and FDA
responded that "natural" was not among the
Agency's current enforcement priorities.
Presently, the FDA policy on the term natural is
that the Agency will not restrict the use of
this term on food labels except for those foods
that contain artificial flavors, chemical
preservatives, and added colors.
Commentary: For more information on FDA
regulations pertaining to "natural" see
August 2005 Food Label
News archive.
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Incidental Additives as Allergens - FDA
Guidance
FDA has issued "Guidance on the Labeling of
Certain Uses of Lecithin Derived from Soy." The
Guidance indicates that FDA will temporarily
exercise enforcement discretion for a food in
which lecithin derived from soy is used as a
component of a release agent and the label for
such food does not declare the presence of soy
lecithin.
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer
Protection Act (FALCPA) requires that incidental
additives, such as soy-derived lecithin used as
a release agent, must be declared as an
ingredient, using the common or usual name, and
with the plant source declared.
FDA is exercising enforcement discretion because
the Agency believes the level of soy protein in
the finished food is likely to be very low and
that there is no danger to soy-allergic persons
when such foods are eaten.
FDA's enforcement discretion will extend for
approximately 18 months.
Read the
Guidance.
Commentary: Allergen labeling continues
to puzzle many food labelers. Food Consulting
Company can help with a Full Label Compliance
Package or an Ongoing Regulatory Support Plan.
See our website:
www.foodlabels.com.
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CFSAN Priorities
Announced - Includes Food Labels
On May 3, 2006, FDA's Center for Food Safety and
Applied Nutrition released Program Priorities
for fiscal year 2006 (October 1, 2005 to
September 31, 2006). The report is structured
differently than in past years; instead of an
"A" and "B" list priority format, the priority
list includes 62 items and a category entitled
"Priority Ongoing Activities."
In part, priorities pertaining to food labels
are:
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Issue allergen compliance program and
implement enforcement strategy
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Publish a proposed rule for gluten-free
labeling
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Publish an ANPRM to update daily values in
nutrition labeling
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Publish draft guidance on whole grains
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Publish an ANPRM on "net carbs" and a proposed rule on other
carbohydrate claims
See
CFSAN priorities report.
Commentary: FDA gives a lengthy
explanation of how the Agency's funding has
diminished and how this will limit the number of
issues that can be addressed. Food Label News
will keep Food Consulting Company clients and
newsletter readers informed on what will and
will not be happening with food labeling
regulations.
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Service Tip: Glycemic
Testing & Labeling
Food Consulting Company is partnered with a
clinical research facility that conducts human
(in vivo) studies to determine the glycemic
index and glycemic load values for food
products. This service provides the
substantiation needed to make glycemic-related
label claims and to determine if a product is
suitable for diabetics.
For more information
If your
company has a product or service complementary
to the services of Food Consulting Company and
you would like to talk about featuring it in
this newsletter, please send us an
email. |
Please share this newsletter in its entirety, including subscription and copyright information.
© Food Consulting Company, 2006
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tel 800-793-2844 or 858-793-4658
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www.foodlabels.com |