Volume 13, Number 3 - March
2012
Happy March from Food
Label News.
In this issue you’ll read about how and when you can create
a single bilingual label that will satisfy regulations in
both Mexico and the U.S. We also cover Nutrition Facts
labels in our continuing series and this month’s Reader Q&A.
Happy reading.
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Cross the border with bilingual labels?
Mexico: Yes - Canada: No
Can a single label satisfy the
regulations of our friends in the north and south? No and
yes. It is not possible to create a single label that
satisfies regulations in U.S. and Canada, however it is
possible to create a bilingual label for U.S. and Mexico.
As of January 1, 2011,
Mexico put forth
new labeling regulations for
pre-packaged foods and non-alcoholic beverages. Here's a
starting list of additional requirements to ensure that a
U.S. label will comply with the regulations of both
countries:
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Bilingual – English/Spanish for all names, claims and
nutrition information |
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Net weight / Cont. Net. – must include metric units |
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Nutrition Facts – a word of caution here: some of the
Daily Values are different (for example, Mexico uses a
30g reference value for fiber), so it is not always
possible to use the same bilingual Nutrition Facts on
both sides of the border |
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Quantitative ingredient labeling – percentage of the
ingredient must be declared when the ingredient is
either emphasized on the label through words and images
OR if it is essential to the identity of the product |
• |
Importer information: Name, Ministry of
Finance Tax ID number – this can also be added to the
label after the
product has crossed the border but before it is sold |
• |
Country of Origin, i.e., "Made in USA" |
• |
Lot identification -
permanent lot numbers are required for traceability |
• |
Date code format – DDMMYYYY |
There are a number of
other considerations and nuances to take into account
when exporting a product to Mexico. Labelers are
cautioned to stay up to date on regulations so all
products can pass swiftly through the U.S. / Mexico border.
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Keeping You Current
FDA urged to
require
sodium cuts in food supply
FDA offers
support for
Facts Up Front (requires LinkedIn registration)
FTC's ongoing crackdown on bogus health claims
CDC Study on blood levels of trans fatty acids
US & EU agree
to partner on
organic trade
GE labeling in Vermont
USDA
improvements for
school meals coming
Join
Food Label Community for a discussion of the news
Reader
Favorites
Quick Food Label Comparisons: US vs. Canada
Using 4-4-9 for Calorie Calculations
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Even though the
regulations are similar and in most cases it is possible to
create one label, depending on the size of the business
opportunity, many marketers prefer to have a separate label
for each country. This makes for cleaner labels in both
markets. |
Examples of Nutrition Facts
Labels:
Part 6 of 10
Requirements for
Nutrition Facts in the U.S. vary based on several
factors. This series continues with a discussion of
the simplified format, optional when eight or more
nutrients have a 0 value.
For a simplified
format Nutrition Facts, there are two scenarios that
require the “Not a significant source” statement: 1)
when voluntary nutrients are declared; or 2) when
claims are made on the label or in labeling.
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View the
quick reference guide for helpful how-to examples of
Nutrition Facts Labels including both scenarios for the
simplified format. |
Q. |
I am in a start-up candy business and plan to cut the
candy bar into pieces on a tray. How exact does the
weight need to be per piece given that I may cut the bar
inaccurately and the nuts or chocolate may be unevenly
distributed?
− A.V., Indiana, Start-up Food Company |
A. |
For products with a
variable weight per piece such as your candy bar,
pickles, shrimp, or scallops, the Serving Size used for
Nutrition Facts labeling is the amount in ounces rounded
to the nearest half-ounce that most closely approximates
FDA's Reference Amount Customarily Consumed (RACC),
along with a visual unit of measure.
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.
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©
2012. Food Consulting Company, Del Mar, CA. All rights reserved.
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