Volume
8, Number 3 - March 2007
IN THIS ISSUE:
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About Food Consulting Company
"Thank you for all your efforts; your
level of investigation was necessary in
doing a correct and good job. You can use me
for a referral anytime!"
~
Ted Stebbins
Ted Stebbins Distributing Co.
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Dear Readers,
We send Food Label News to keep you informed
about food label regulations and to remind you
that Food Consulting Company is a ready resource
when you need food label help. We know food
labeling can be tedious and eat up your valuable
time. Call on us to help. See
www.foodlabels.com. |
Q. If a
product does not contain any allergens should
you still put "Allergens: Contains none" on the
label?
N. S., Food Manufacturer & Co-Packer, Pennsylvania
A.
The statement "Allergens: Contains none" is
misleading and is therefore discouraged. The
"big eight" allergens account for 90 percent of
food allergies and it would not be wise to
suggest that a product does not contain any of
the other possible allergens. Read more at
Reader Q&A Page.
Submit a question
for the Reader Q&A Spot (no charge). |
FDA Reminds on Food Labels Claims
In February 2007, FDA posted Guidance on the
Agency web site reminding manufacturers and
distributors of conventional food products about
the different types of labeling claims available
for use on conventional food products. The
Guidance identifies the four types of claims
that can be used in food labeling (health
claims, structure/function claims, nutrient
content claims, and dietary guidance) and
provides basic details of use along with
examples of each type of claim.
The Guidance also reminds industry that in
certain circumstances product information that
is disseminated over the Internet can meet the
definition of labeling, and therefore the
Internet information might be subject to the
regulations for labeling claims.
See
Guidance.
Commentary: FDA actually encourages
labelers to use claims when products qualify,
however using claims on product labels can be
tricky. Food Consulting Company can help match
claims to products.
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Food Labels Allergens – Coconut Counts as Tree
Nut
In October 2006, FDA updated the Agency’s
"Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens"
in part to identify 19 nuts that are considered
to be "tree nuts" and 9 grains that are considered
"wheat" for purposes of allergen labeling. The
allergen Act (FALCPA) identifies the "big eight"
food allergens as milk, egg, fish, Crustacean
shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and
soybeans. Clients to Food Consulting Company
continue to be surprised to learn that:
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tree nuts include coconut, chestnut, lichee
and pine nut
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wheat includes spelt, kamut and triticale
See
Guidance.
Commentary: In December 2006, Food Label
News reported on FDA's latest
guidance (4th Edition). The newsletter
will report on further developments related to
allergen labeling.
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Amendment Will Expand Soluble Fiber/CHD
Claim
In response to a petition, FDA is proposing to
amend the health claim for the relationship
between soluble fiber from certain foods and
risk of coronary heart disease. The amendment
would expand the use of this health claim to
some whole oat products that are currently
ineligible.
If adopted, the amendment would exempt certain
foods from the "low fat" requirement if the food
exceeds the fat limit because the fat comes from
whole oat sources. Stakeholders are invited to
comment on the proposed amendment and can also
address whether whole oat food products that
contain sources of fat other than whole oats should be exempt from the "low fat"
requirement.
See
Proposed Amendment.
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Service Tip: Product Development Help
Do you have a new product that's not quite
ready for labeling because you are still working
on the product formula? Do you need help with
product development? Contact
Food Consulting Company
for a referral.
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contact us.
©
2007
Food Consulting Company
13724 Recuerdo Drive
Del Mar, CA 92014 USA
www.foodlabels.com
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