FDA Extends Compliance Deadline for New Nutritional Labeling Rules

FDA issued final rules to implement changes to the nutrition labeling and serving size regulations in May 2016. Compliance with the new requirements was initially set for July 26, 2018 (July 26, 2019 for small manufacturers). In May 2018, FDA issued a final rule extending the compliance dates to January 1, 2020, for manufacturers with $10 million or more in annual food sales and January 1, 2021, for manufacturers with less than $10 million in annual food sales.

FDA announced that it will effectively extend the compliance deadline again  during the first six months following the January 1, 2020 compliance date.   FDA stated it will  “work cooperatively with manufacturers to meet the new Nutrition Facts label requirements and will not focus on enforcement actions regarding these requirements during that time.” 

Trump Calls for Streamlined Regulation of Genetically Engineered Food

President Trump signed Executive Order on Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology Products on June 11, 2019. The order directs federal agencies to streamline regulations and guidance documents regarding products of agricultural biotechnology. 

The impact of the executive order will idepend on the actions of the federal agencies. The regulatory system must not only ensure the safety of new biotechnology but also must foster public confidence in that safety. Avoiding undue regulatory burden is important, but simply deregulating genetic engineering could result in loss of public confidence in genetically engineered foods. 

FSIS Proposes Elimination of Dual Net Content Labeling

The USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS) proposed amending its labeling regulations to remove the requirement for dual declaration of net contents on packages that contain more than one pound or one pint but less than four pounds or one gallon. Under the proposal, meat and poultry packages in these ranges would be allowed to express contents in one of the avoirdupois units of measure instead of both. For example, the net weight could read, “56 oz.” or “3.5 lbs.” rather than “56 oz. (3.5 lbs.)” 

In its preamble to its proposal FSIS states, “If the proposed changes are finalized, FSIS expects the net weight and content requirements will be clearer and there will be fewer . . . questions and less misunderstanding of the net weight and content requirements.” 

What do you think? Will clarity be achieved by eliminating the dual listing? If clarity is the goal, wouldn’t it be simpler to list just in the largest whole unit? That is, wouldn’t it be simpler to always label three pounds as “3 lbs.” As proposed, three pounds would sometimes be “3 lbs.”, but sometimes “48 oz.”, other times “3 lbs. (48 oz.)”, and still other times “48 oz. (3 lbs.)”

You can let FSIS know what you think of their proposal. FSIS is asking for comments by June 17, 2019.

New Online Course: Food Regulation in China

Online Graduate Course: Food Laws and Regulations in China Updated curriculum for summer 2019   NEW RANGE OF TOPICS NEW TEAM OF INSTRUCTORS CLASS RUNS MAY 13 - AUGUST 15, 2019 Enroll Now This course is designed to provide students with an overview of various aspects of food law in China. Taught with an IFLR lead instructor along with various China food law experts from around the world, this redesigned course has been updated to reflect the latest laws and regulations and touches on emerging issues. Topics include: cultural, socio-economic differences compared to other countries/regions; organization of China's food laws, delegation of risk assessment and risk management roles and responsibilities in the Government of China; cross border and e-commerce issues; food labeling and claims permitted; novel food approval; genetic modification and; food additives and contaminants. Hot topics such as food safety, food fraud, and import-exportissues such as tariffs and liabilities toward consumers will also be addressed. This course will include various weekly readings, lectures, assignments, discussions with experts, and three quizzes. There will not be a final exam. Learn more at www.iflr.msu.edu. Contact iflr@msu.edu for assistance. Copyright © 2019 Institute for Food Laws and Regulations, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Institute for Food Laws and Regulations 474 S Shaw Lane, Suite 3385 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI  48824 Add us to your address book