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Volume 13, Number
10 - October 2013
Greetings from Food Label News.
When it comes to what matters in food labels, it's both the
black and white regulations as well as nuances that count.
Be sure to read this month's article to understand some of
the trickiest food label rules and case studies about how
others have achieved regulatory compliance. We also feature
our popular Reader Q&A focused on gluten-free. Wishing you
an abundant harvest this Fall.
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The Trickiest Food Labeling Rules
Deciphering food label regulations that are black and white
is one thing. Navigating the shades of gray with seemingly
conflicting regulations is another. It can be tricky to
blend many sources of information such as public laws,
multiple sections of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs),
FDA and USDA-FSIS guidance, as well as industry best
practice. Food labelers must integrate a variety of factors
to ensure 100% regulatory compliance. Here are a few tricky
ones:
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Product Identity – The starting point is to
understand if a food meets a specific Standard
of Identity. For non-standardized foods,
understanding naming requirements and rules
around flavor and other qualifiers are also
important. |
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Net Contents Statement – There are several
inconsistencies between the Public Law (P.L.
102-329) and Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR
101.105) related to net contents labeling. In
addition, there are differences in industry
practice for USDA-regulated foods and
FDA-regulated foods. The majority of the
inconsistencies relate to the requirements for
metric labeling, although there are
others. |
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Country of Origin – There are both mandatory and
voluntary statements and policies about the
country of origin, including regulations under
NAFTA and COOL. Federal agencies such as FTC,
USDA-AMS, USDA-FSIS, FDA, and other entities all
have requirements that confound the issue. |
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What's News in the
Food Label Community
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Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2013
introduced in U.S. Congress |
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Insights on Foods for Special Dietary Uses |
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Oldways issues scientific consensus statement on Glycemic |
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USDA updates sugar values for cream products |
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Unintended presence of soy and Canadian
allergen labeling |
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Connect with
other food labelers on LinkedIn |
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Reader Favorites
Due Diligence with Database Nutrition
Analysis:
Guidebook and
Rules of Thumb |
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Search answers
to food label questions |
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These and other issues are frequently posed in the Food
Label Community, the virtual water cooler for food labelers. For example, there
has been discussion of declaring spices that also function as colors, reporting
trans fat in the Nutrition Facts when the total fat is zero, disclosure vs.
disclaimer statements, and what counts as an incidental additive. See the
Food Label Community on LinkedIn to join the conversation. |
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Client Highlights - Food Labels and Regulatory
Food label regulations can be challenging for start-up
companies, established multi-national retailers, and
importers alike. Those involved in food labels can learn
from how other companies manage the nuances of food
label regulations.
Start-up company launches novel beverage concept
- Navigating food labels and Nutrition Facts for a
new-to-the-world beverage brand in a highly competitive
industry is no easy task, especially for a young,
start-up company. With an outsourced regulatory
strategy, they were able to keep laser focus on core
competencies: building, marketing and selling their new
brand. Read the
case study.
Consistent food labels and Nutrition Facts across a
major national retailer's private label vendors -
Managing a large, private label brand that spans many
categories has its challenges. Ensuring that nutritional
information and food labels are consistent, accurate,
and compliant across hundreds of suppliers and products
is essential. Read the
case study.
Americanizing foreign packaging – For a foreign
foods importer, understanding U.S. regulations is not
trivial. This food importer overcame food label
challenges and ensured that their products easily passed
through U.S. Customs and FDA Inspections at the border.
The result was a successful U.S. introduction and 100%
regulatory compliance. Read the
case study.
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A special invitation: What's your process to
ensure 100% regulatory compliance? Submit your
company for consideration and if chosen you’ll
be featured in Food Label News. An excellent way
to showcase your work both internally and for
the food label community. Click
here. |
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Reader Q&A
Find
answers to our readers'
questions or send us
your question for an
upcoming issue.
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Q. |
A client with celiac disease who is carefully following
a gluten free diet has concerns about ingredient
labeling when he sees the word "spices". Does he need to
avoid foods that have "contains spices" on the
ingredient label?
− J.B.,
Indiana, Hospital
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A. |
Spices are
by definition gluten-free. A consumer following a
gluten-free diet can feel comfortable eating food
that contains spices, provided the manufacturer is
reputable and has followed all FDA labeling
requirements. If in doubt, a consumer can always call
the company's customer service line to verify.
Read more. |
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What matters in food labeling
Food Label News,
now in its 13th year, is a monthly e-newsletter reaching
over 7,500 subscribers around the world. We
welcome your colleagues to subscribe for news and insights
about food labels:
www.foodlabels.com/subscribe
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Your virtual
food label partner
Food Consulting Company,
founded in 1993, provides nutrition analysis, food labeling,
and regulatory support for more than 1,500 clients worldwide.
Our
guarantee: 100% regulatory compliance.
Contact us
for the help you need now.
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.
© 2013. Food Consulting Company, Del Mar, CA. All rights reserved.
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