Food Labeling
FDA Proposes Changes to Food Labels
Last month, the FDA proposed its first major changes of the Nutrition Facts label in over 20 years. According to a statement released by the FDA, the "proposed new Nutrition Facts label will make it easier for consumers to make informed decisions about the food they eat. The label reflects the latest scientific thinking about nutrition and the links between what people eat and chronic diseases like obesity and cardiovascular disease." The FDA's Health and Diet Survey in 2008 showed that more ... Read More »
Using PLU Codes to Identify Produce
Price Look-Up codes, commonly known as PLU codes, are used by retail stores to identify and manage bulk produce inventory. PLU codes are most often found on a small sticker placed directly on fresh produce when traditional bar codes are not practical. The code identifies the variety and growing method for each item, and may also indicate the size (e.g. small, medium, large). This form of product identification can help consumers identify some basic traits about the fresh produce they purchase, ... Read More »
Gluten-Free Food Labeling
Earlier this month, the FDA announced it is seeking additional feedback from consumers and the food industry to determine new regulations on the labeling of gluten-free food products. To ensure the safety of consumers who suffer from celiac disease (gluten intolerance), the proposed labeling change would restrict the use of "gluten-free" food labeling to only foods containing less than 20 ppm gluten. The proposed 20 ppm gluten level is a standard already adopted by 27 countries in Europe, and is... Read More »
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