Volume
10, Number 3 - March 2009
IN THIS ISSUE:
|
About Food Consulting Company
" I read every newsletter that you
provide, and I always find several things
that apply to my small business. Thank you."
– Louise Christofor
Carriage House Creations
|
Greetings! Food Label News keeps you
connected to Food Consulting Company - your best
source for food labeling help. Visit us online
at
www.foodlabels.com. |
Q.
I have seen
products with a Nutrient Content Claim (NCC)
stating "0 grams trans fat." I have not found
this claim to be one of the approved NCC claims.
Is the claim illegal or allowed?
M.C.,
Registered Dietitian, New Hampshire
A. "0
grams trans fat per serving" is a factual
statement, not a defined nutrient content claim.
Read
more.
Submit a question
for Reader Q&A (no charge). |
Food Labels Carb Claims - Report Issued
In January 2009, FDA issued an analysis report
titled "Experimental Study of Carbohydrate
Claims on Food Packages." The document outlines
results from a study conducted in March 2006
that was designed to evaluate carbohydrate
claims and disclosure statements in terms of
their effects on consumers’ understanding and
ability to make product judgments for healthy
dietary practices. The report does not mention
how or how soon the study findings will be used.
The historical base for the study is the
popularity of low carbohydrate diets in the
early part of this decade (2003-2004). Industry
began incorrectly using words such as "low,"
"reduced," or "free" on labels to describe
carbohydrate content; FDA told industry that
this is not allowed since the terms are Nutrient
Content Claims. In a March 2004 fact sheet on
carbohydrate, FDA stated the intent to initiate
rulemaking for carbohydrate content labeling.
Read
report.
Read
Fact Sheet.
Commentary: While labelers cannot use
terms regulated as Nutrient Content Claims to
describe carbohydrate content per serving, they
can use statements of fact on labels; see
Food Label News
October 2003.
Net carbohydrate statements that are truthful
and not misleading can also be used; see Food
Label News
February 2004.
The articles are helpful to labelers who want to
appeal to the carbohydrate-conscious consumer.
Additional articles on carb labeling are:
November 2003,
April 2004,
May 2004.
|
Food Labels Health Claims Update
In January 2009, FDA issued "Guidance for
Industry Evidence-Based Review System for the
Scientific Evaluation of Health Claims." This
document replaces a draft version issued in July
2007.
The guidance represents the Agency's current
thinking on:
-
the process
for evaluating the scientific evidence for a
health claim
-
the meaning of
the significant scientific agreement (SSA)
standard
-
credible
scientific evidence to support a qualified
health claim
Read
guidance.
Commentary:
Soon after this latest guidance was issued, FDA
was criticized for allowing Qualified Health
Claims in a Center for Science in the Public
Interest (CSPI) press release. Food Label
News has reported extensively on pressures
to eliminate this type of claim. FDA continues
to allow the claims in response to legal
challenge that called use of such claims a right
under the U.S. Constitution First Amendment
right to free speech. See earlier Food Label
News articles:
September 2007,
October 2007,
December 2007,
February 2008,
and
April 2008.
|
FDA Issues Food Labels Guidance - Seafood List
In January 2009,
FDA issued "Guidance for Industry - The Seafood
List - FDA's Guide to Acceptable Market Names
for Seafood Sold in Interstate Commerce." The
guidance:
-
explains what
FDA considers to be acceptable market names
for seafood sold in interstate commerce
-
defines the
different categories of names found in "The
Seafood List"
-
outlines
principles that can be used to label seafood
species sold in the United States with an
appropriate, non-misleading statement of
identity
Read
guidance.
Commentary:
Food Consulting Company can help with product
naming for seafood and all FDA-regulated foods
when you order
Full Label Compliance
or
Label Compliance Review.
|
At Your Service: Labeling products
with consumer appealing statements of
fact and FDA compliant label claims can help
products sell. For help,
see
Services.
|
Please share this newsletter in its entirety,
including subscription and copyright information.
For reprint permission, please
contact us.
Copyright 2009, Food Consulting Company.
www.foodlabels.com.
All rights reserved.
|