JUNE 2002
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...INTOUCH...
Monthly Updates on Government Action Affecting Food Labels
June 7, 2002
Brought to you by The Food Consulting Company
Your source for food label help
http://www.foodlabels.com
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Greetings!
The Food Consulting Company now provides services to
help
label organic foods for compliance to the National
Organic
Standards that are effective on October 21, 2002. For
easy,
confidential access, visit our website -
http://www.foodlabels.com -
choose SERVICES for description, ORDERS to request
help.
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FDA Invites Comment on First Amendment Issues
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FDA is seeking comment on issues related to the
agency's
regulation of commercial speech in the labeling and
advertising of foods, dietary supplements, and drugs.
A
May 16, 2002, notice in the Federal Register poses sug-
gestive questions directed to the public. FDA says
public
comment will help the agency safeguard the public
health
while fulfilling its legal obligations. Read notice:
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/051602d.htm
Author's Note: The Supreme Court has ruled that com-
mercial speech is entitled to First Amendment
protection
so long as it is "truthful and not misleading". We
will review
your label claims and statements of fact as part of
our Full
Label Compliance Package and Label Compliance Review.
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More Time to Meet Stricter Sodium
Requirements
For Foods Labeled "Healthy"
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The January 2003 compliance date for more stringent
sodium
requirements on products labeled "healthy" has been
extended
to January 1, 2006. FDA is currently preparing to
issue a
proposed rule concerning "healthy" sodium levels.
Presumably
the pending proposed rule is being influenced by
response to
FDA's 1997 request for comment on possibly amending
the
nutrient content claim regulations pertaining to the
use of the
term "healthy" that were published in the Federal
Register
May 10, 1994. Read notice:
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/050802a.htm
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Farm Bill Calls for Country-of-Origin Label on Some Ag
Products
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Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm
Bill), which
governs federal farm programs for the next six years,
requires food
retailers to inform consumers of the country-of-origin
at the final
point of sale for covered commodities including beef,
pork, chicken,
fish, shellfish, peanuts, fruits, and vegetables. USDA
is required to
issue guidelines for voluntary country-of-origin
labeling by
September 30, 2002; mandatory regulations are required
by
September 30, 2004.
Read the Farm Bill country of origin text on pages 414
to 417 at:
http://www.usda.gov/farmbill/conference_report/title10.pdf
Author's Note: While it doesn't appear that the Farm
Bill will
necessarily require products to be individually
labeled with country-
of-origin, as a practical matter retailers may require
it from their
suppliers.
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FYI TIP: To simplify your work in creating accurate
labels with
statements of fact, nutrient content claims, National
Organic
Program requirements, country-of-origin labeling and
other
label components, order "Full Label Compliance
Package"
or "Label Compliance Review" from the ORDERS page at
www.foodlabels.com.
Orders are completed within 10 business
days. Rush services are available.
© Food Consulting Company, 2002. |