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Volume 11, Number 1 - January 2010
Happy New Year from Food Label News. We are delighted to bring you Food Label News via email on the first Friday of every month -- even when the first Friday is New Years Day! What a great way to start the new year. Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2010. |
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In this issue you'll find:
Karen C. Duester, President |
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" Just a quick email to let you know that this newsletter is absolutely fantastic! It saves me so much time, it's wonderful. 'Guten Tag!' from Germany."
– Diana Michiulis, |
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Year's Most Popular Reader Q&A's Congratulations to the three Food Label News subscribers who we honored with a $25 check for their contributions. We thank these winners for submitting questions that ranked the highest among our readers. The 2009 winners and links to answers for their questions are:
For answers to other Food Label News reader questions, see the Reader Q&A Archive. |
Keeping You Current Semiannual Regulatory Agendas for U.S. Government Agencies in December 7th Federal Register New FDA draft guidance contrasts conventional foods vs. dietary supplements FSIS issues supplemental proposed rule for single-ingredient meat & poultry products New USDA study for improving nutrition of school meals USDA launches Innovations for Healthy Kids Challenge Dietary Supplement Facts Sheets available on NIH website |
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Food Label News will continue to respond to one question per month as space permits. Those who submit the top three questions during the 2010 calendar year will be recognized with a $25 thank you check in December 2010. |
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Relative Nutrient Content Claims: Instructional Series Part 5 of 10 This month's installment in our ten-part series describes the use of relative nutrient content 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 5 of the series. |
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Relative (or comparative) nutrient content claims use words such as "more," "less," "reduced" and "light" to compare the level of nutrients of one product to another. These claims trigger many disclosure and footnote requirements that are detailed in the Guide. |
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If you missed earlier parts of the series you can view and download them now. (Get Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 or Part 4.) The pages from all parts will add up to the complete booklet. |
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Find answers to our readers' questions or send us your question for an upcoming issue. |
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Q. |
When we designed our bags for popcorn, we naturally used
the label warning from our contract manufacturer
"Manufactured in a facility that also processes peanuts,
tree nuts and milk ingredients." Our contract
manufacturer is no longer using nuts in their products
and we are thinking about eliminating the peanut
warning. However, to do this economically and not create
a whole new printing plate, we would also need to
eliminate the warning about milk being processed in the
factory. Is it OK to eliminate the milk warning or does
that violate a code or present a serious risk to those
with milk allergies? |
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A. |
The use of an allergen advisory statement such as the one you use "Manufactured in a facility that also processes peanuts, tree nuts and milk ingredients" is voluntary so you are free to eliminate the statement or any other allergen advisory statement from your labeling if you choose. Read more. |
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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. |