Volume 11, Number 4 - April 2010
Hello from Food Label News. No doubt you have heard news about food labels in the consumer media. From FDA's warning letters to healthcare reform, food labeling is a topic of discussion. In this issue we provide insights about FDA's crackdown on misleading food labels and what you can do to protect your company. As healthcare reform unfolds we will keep abreast of what matters in food labeling. |
In this issue you'll find:
Karen C. Duester, President |
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" You have found a niche and fulfill a need in the food industry. We have utmost confidence in your expertise and refer our clients who require nutrition labeling or advice on package labeling regulations that are unclear."
– Patricia P. Groves, |
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FDA Tightens Control on Food Label Claims Food labelers beware. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) sent warning letters in February to 16 different companies for false or misleading food label claims. These warning letters marked FDA's stepped-up activity to police the industry's labeling practices and ensure compliance. Highlights of violations cited in the warning letters are:
For more details, read FDA open letter to the food industry and access the individual warnings. |
Keeping You Current Healthcare reform legislation (Section 4205, page 455) signed into law on March 23rd establishes new nationwide requirement for nutrition menu labeling for restaurants with 20 or more locations National Restaurant Association press release praises unified menu labeling standards Institute of Medicine to host second meeting for front-of-pack labeling April 8th to 10th; public meeting April 9th FDA indicated two new guidance documents and one new proposed rule related to claims and label statements are forthcoming during a presentation at first IOM front-of-pack meeting Newly released FDA survey shows consumers often read a label the first time they buy a product, but are skeptical about front-of-pack claims FDA seeks comments on its Transparency Task Force
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
releases GAO report says FDA needs to improve GRAS oversight, especially for self-affirmed GRAS products |
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While there is new FDA rulemaking activity underway (specifically related to dietary guidance statements - see inset above, 4th item), the warning letters are simply reinforcement of existing regulations. An understanding of nutrient content claims, health claims, structure/function claims, dietary guidance statements and statements of fact is required to develop labeling that complies with FDA regulations. For guidance, you can search the FDA website at www.fda.gov, get a summary from the Silliker/Food Consulting Company Instructional Series (see below), or contact us for help with a specific project. |
Health Claims on Food Labels: Instructional Series Part 8 of 10 This month's installment in our ten-part series describes the use of health claims on food labels. This 10-part instructional series is based on a 2009 publication titled "Silliker Nutrient and Health Claims U.S. Regulatory Guide" that was cooperatively developed by Food Consulting Company and Silliker, Inc., a leading provider of laboratory nutrition analysis. View/print Part 8 of the series. |
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Health claims are pre-authorized by FDA and the wording for these types of claims is tightly controlled. If a product contains a disqualifying level of total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, or sodium, then you will not be allowed to cite a health claim. More details can be found in the Guide. |
If you missed earlier parts of the series you can view and download them now. (Get Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7.) The pages from all parts will add up to the complete booklet. |
Find answers to our readers' questions or send us your question for an upcoming issue. |
Q. |
We have four different flavors of a beverage packaged in
a box. Do we need four different nutritional statements
on the box or can we just put the nutrition info on each
bottle instead? |
A. |
The regulations specify
that labeling must be placed on the retail sales
package. This enables the consumer to be informed when
they make their purchasing decision. For a multi-pack,
the labeling needs to be on the outer package...
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At Your Service Food Consulting Company, founded in 1993, provides nutrition analysis, food labeling and regulatory support to ensure 100% compliance with FDA regulations. With over 1,000 clients worldwide, Food Consulting Company's services are ideal for start-up and established food manufacturers, distributors, food importers, brokers, and restaurateurs. Contact Us for more information about your food labeling needs. You may reprint all or part of this newsletter, provided you attribute it to Food Label News and include a link to www.foodlabels.com. © 2010. Food Consulting Company, Del Mar, CA. All rights reserved. |