Food Label News - January 2012

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!

In this issue you'll find:

"First of all, I want to say how much I enjoy the monthly issues of Food Label News. I look forward to each edition. Personally and professionally, I find the newsletter to be quite timely and informative as to what's happening in the world of food regulations."

– Mike Davis,
Bakery Chef

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Year's Most Popular Reader Q&As

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Examples of Nutrition Facts Labels:
Part 4 of 10

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Reader Q&A: "Natural-identical flavor" in USA

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Helpful links to keep you current

Karen C. Duester, President

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.

●	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?
●	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?
●	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.

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


	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.


	Take a quick look at the exemption for a very small package and other helpful how-to examples of Nutrition Facts Labels.

Reader Q&A

Find answers to our readers' questions or send us your question for an upcoming issue.

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

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.