Volume 13, Number 1 - January
2012
Happy 2012 from Food Label News.
As the new year kicks off, we offer a toast to our clients,
readers and fellow food labelers in the Food Label Community
on LinkedIn. Wishing you all a healthy and prosperous year
ahead.
We start the year by featuring one of the most popular
sections of Food Label News - Reader Q&As. Our
Nutrition Facts Labels series continues with a discussion of
what’s acceptable for exceptionally small packages.
Wishing all the best for this new year!
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Year's Most Popular Reader Q&As
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. Here are the 2011 winners and links to answers.
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L.J., Georgia -
April's Food Label News
Is there a U.S. labeling
regulation that establishes the allowable variance for
the analyzed value vs. what is printed on the label? If
so, what is the specific regulation? |
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K.M., Washington -
October's Food Label News
How much alcohol can be used in an FDA-regulated food
product, and how is it regulated? |
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P.H., Georgia -
January's Food Label News
Our sales team wants to create a food package that would
be equally acceptable in Mexico and the U.S. Is this
do-able? |
For answers to these and other Food Label News
reader questions, see the
Reader Q&A Archive.
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Keeping You Current
CSPI wants front-label disclosure for added colors
Do we need
more
front-of-package programs?
(requires LinkedIn account)
Join
Food Label Community
for a discussion of the news
Reader
Favorites
Nutrient & Health Claims Regulatory Guide
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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
2012 calendar year will be recognized with a $25 thank you
check in December. |
Examples of Nutrition Facts
Labels:
Part 4 of 10
Requirements for
Nutrition Facts in the U.S. vary based on several
factors. This series continues with a discussion of
compliant Nutrition Facts for the most common
scenarios.
One of the primary
variables for developing a compliant Nutrition Facts
Label is the space available for labeling. If your
package has less than 12 square inches of available
labeling space AND and does not include any
nutrition information or claims on the label or in
labeling, then an exemption for nutrition facts
labeling applies. This exemption allows the food
labeler to omit the facts panel and
include the phone number or address for consumers to
obtain nutrition information.
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Take a quick look at the exemption for a very small package
and other
helpful how-to examples
of Nutrition Facts Labels. |
Q. |
Is the use of "natural-identical flavor" appropriate in
USA? I only found guidelines in CFR (Code of Federal
Regulations) for "natural flavor" or "artificial
flavor." I
think natural-identical flavor is mostly used as a
standard for Europe.
− T.W., California, Food Importer |
A. |
You are correct. There is
not a classification for "natural-identical flavor" in
the U.S. The term natural-identical (or
nature-identical) is used in Europe for a particular
class of flavors that are synthetically produced, but
chemically identical to substances found in nature. In
the U.S., these synthetically-derived nature-identical
flavor ingredients need to be labeled as artificial
flavors.
Read more. |
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 well over 1,500 clients worldwide, we’re
pleased to provide
information to address your
food labeling needs.
We value our relationships and
are working to stay connected. To build your network, we
invite you to connect with us via
LinkedIn and while you’re
there, join the
Food Label Community.
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.
©
2012. Food Consulting Company, Del Mar, CA. All rights reserved.
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