Food Labelling

Question 1

Who’s responsible?

Answer 1

FDA and FSIS
(TTB, US Customs and Border Patrol, Federal Trade Commission)

Question 2

FSIS Labeling

Answer 2

-requires agency approval before sale of the product
-requires display of official inspection legend

Question 3

FDA Labeling

Answer 3

-does not have authority to approve labels prior to making
-requires the display of warning and notice statements

Question 4

Purpose of Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA)

Answer 4

-clear up confusion in retail stores
-help consumers choose healthier
-an incentive to companies to improve nutritional quality

Question 5

Features of Food Labeling Reform

Answer 5

1. Nutritional labeling of almost all foods
2. A new, easy-to-read format for nutritional labeling
3. Standardization of information on the amount per serving
4. % Daily Value
5. Uniform definitions for nutrient content
6. Standardization of health claims
7. Voluntary for raw foods

Question 6

FDA Requirements

Answer 6

1. Statement of Identity
2. Ingredient List
3. Name and place of business
4. Net quantity
5. Nutritional labeling
6. Country of Origin
7. Allergens

Question 7

Allergen Labelling

Answer 7

• “contains (food source and major allergen)”
  -after or adj to the ingredient list

Question 8

Country of Origin Labelling

Answer 8

• “made in” “product of” “assembled in”
  -noticeable at causal handling
  *Additional info on US Customs and Broder Protection Special Classification and Marking Branch

Question 9

USDA Requirements

Answer 9

1. Statement of Identity
2. Ingredient List
3. Name and place of business
4. Net quantity
5. Nutritional labeling
6. Offical inspection legend and establishment/plant number
7. Special handling instruction

Question 10

New Rules in Food Labeling

Answer 10

mandatory standards of identity of imported food products

Question 11

2 Main Areas of a Food Label

Answer 11

1. PDP, Principle Display Panel
2. IP, the Information Panel (to the right of PDP)

Question 12

2 Parts of Nutrition Facts Panel

Answer 12

1. The main
2. The bottom part contains a footnote

Question 13

Express/Absolute Claims

Answer 13

The exact amount or range of a nutrient
“contains 100 calories”
“low sodium”

Question 14

Implied Claims

Answer 14

Describe a food or ingredient in a manner that suggests the nutrient is absent or present in a certain amount
“high in oats”

Question 15

Equivalence Claims

Answer 15

If both the reference food and labeled food are good sources of the nutrients per serving
“contains as much Vit C as an 8oz glass or orange juice”

Question 16

Authorized Claims

Answer 16

Claims authorized by FDA and FSIS
“free….”
“low”….”
“reduced…”

Question 17

Relative Claims

Answer 17

Compares the nutrient level of the labeled product to the level of a reference food
“fewer……”

Question 18

Percent Amount Claims

Answer 18

A label may make a statement outside of NF Panel about the % or amount of nutrients of the type found in nutrition labeling.
“less than 140 mg sodium/serving”

Question 19

Healthy Claims

Answer 19

“Corn oil is a sodium-free food”
“Very low sodium, 35mg or less /240ml”

Question 20

Health Claims

Answer 20

-Calcium and osteoporosis
-Fat and cancer
-Saturated fat and cholesterol and coronary heart disease
-Fiber-containing grain products, fruits and vegetables and cancer
-Fruits, vegetables and grain products that contain fiber and risk of CHD
-Sodium and hypertension
-Fruits and vegetables and cancer
-Folic acid and neural tube defects
-Dietary sugar alcohols and cavities
-Soluble fiber and heart disease

Question 21

Class I Nutrients

Answer 21

-Added nutrients in fortified and fabricated foods
-Compliance level of at least 100% of level claims

Question 22

Class II Nutrients

Answer 22

-Naturally occurring nutrients
-Compliance level at least 80% of label claims

Question 23

Pareve

Answer 23

does not contain dairy or meat and is neutral and can be eaten with either