Food Label News, Government Actions for Food Labels, FDA Regulations, Food Labels, Nutrition Labels
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Volume 8, Number 4 - April 2007

IN THIS ISSUE:

About Food Consulting Company

"I love your newsletter. It relates timely information that is backed by links to primary sources and related details. It is a must-read. Keep up the good work."

~ Lucia Oen
Dunkin Brands, Inc./Baskin-Robbins

Dear Readers,

Greetings! If getting your new or newly formulated products labeled for compliance with FDA regulations means that you must spend hours reading FDA regulations, consider that Food Consulting Company can expertly handle the label work for you. Choose Full Label Compliance now or read Service Tip for more information.

Q.  Is it acceptable to have the Allergen Warning on one side of the main label panel and the ingredient/nutritional information on the other side?          
      K. C., Established Food Manufacturer, California

 

A.  The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) does not refer to the term "Allergen Warning." The regulations do however specify how allergens should be listed in the ingredient statement and in a "Contains" statement if one is used. Read more at Reader Q&A Page.

 

Submit a question for Reader Q&A (no charge).

FDA 2007 Plans for Food Labels

In June 2006, FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) requested input on program priorities for fiscal year 2007 (October 1, 2006, to September 30, 2007). As of April 1, 2007, priorities have not yet been announced. Curious about what lies ahead for food labeling, Food Consulting Company spoke with an FDA spokesperson and learned that CFSAN does plan to publish priorities for the 2007 fiscal year; some of the labeling issues that will be receiving attention include:

  • a shell egg in-lid labeling final rule

  • irradiation labeling

  • continued review of qualified health claims

Also, Food Consulting Company has learned from attendees at a February chapter meeting of Institute of Food Technologists that FDA intends to seek input concerning the regulatory status and labeling of salt.


Nutrition Labels Expert Speaks to Restaurant Group

Food Consulting Company president and founder, Karen C. Duester, MS, RD, will speak to the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Nutrition Study Group, April 25, 2007, in Denver, to address nutrient profiles generated from database nutrition analysis systems, including how to:

  • establish a system to scrutinize nutrient data from supplier specification sheets

  • account for moisture adjustment, nutrient losses, and nutrient variations

  • compare lab results against database information and reconcile differences

Food Consulting Company provides both database and laboratory nutrition analysis to determine nutrient profiles. Clients to the company often inquire about the validity of each method. The presentation will help with decision-making when choosing the method for nutrition analysis. For immediate insight on this topic, see the Reader Q&A Webpage.

See study group website.

Commentary: The NRA nutrition study group is made up of restaurant-industry professionals who work on nutrition-related issues. Though FDA does not yet require nutrition labeling for restaurant foods, many restaurants do provide this for some or all menu offerings. In July 2006, Food Label News reported on FDA's Keystone Forum recommendation that restaurants should provide consumers with nutrition information. Food Consulting Company helps restaurants provide all types of nutrition and allergen information to meet customer demands. For more information.


Trans Fat on Nutrition Labels Still Puzzles

In response to continued confusion among some food labelers regarding trans fat reporting on food labels, especially those that qualify for a "simplified" format, Food Consulting company has added new explanatory and graphic help to the company's website. See correct and incorrect examples of Nutrition Facts panels.

In part, the correct way to report trans fat depends on whether:

  • the label uses a "standard" Nutrition Facts panel [as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations at 21CFR101.9(c)] or a "simplified" Nutrition Facts panel [as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations at 21CFR101.9(f)]

  • the product contains a reportable amount of total fat

  • the "not a significant source" statement is used

  • claims are made on the label or in labeling

See Code of Federal Regulations for complete details.

Service Tip: Choosing Full Label Compliance for a new or newly formulated product provides you with a completed database nutrition analysis and nutrition facts panel; fully compliant ingredient statement including allergens properly listed; label layout instructions and final label review; 90 day support for completed work; your time saved to work on other matters; peace of mind that labels are fully compliant.

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© 2007
Food Consulting Company
13724 Recuerdo Drive
Del Mar, CA 92014 USA
www.foodlabels.com