Food Label Review Program
(801) 860-7075 or (801) 538-7147
FAX (801) 538-4949
UPDATE ON PROPOSED LABELING RULE, R70-340
Mission
Statement: The mission of the food labeling program is to
help manufacturers, producers, and distributors understand and comply
with Labeling laws and rules thus ensuring products offered for sale
in the State will be completely and correctly labeled. This information
will enable consumers to choose products that meet their particular
health and lifestyle needs.There
are three main purposes for the food label review program:
1. To assist manufacturers in correctly designing food labels
The State of Utah through the Utah Code Annotated (UCA) has adopted
the regulations promulgated under the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling
Act as set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). With the
passage of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) of 1990,
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new rules and regulations
which completely overhauled the science of designing labels, especially
the use, format, and design of the Nutrition statement. The purpose
of this program is to assist manufacturers to understand state and
federal label requirements and to assist them in designing labels
that will comply with those requirements. This is a label "review"
process, not an "approval" process.
Label reviews help new producers avoid costly reprinting of incorrect
labels and lessens the possibility that regulatory agencies in other
jurisdictions will take mislabeled product "off sale" for
labeling violations or omissions
.2.
To protect consumers and provide a basis for an informed buying decision
All packaged food items are required to be labeled with the following
information before being offered for sale: 1) An appropriately descriptive
name of the food. 2) A net quantity statement telling the customer
how much product is being offered for the price charged. 3) A complete
list of all ingredients in the product. 4) The name and address of
the manufacturer, producer, or distributor. 5) A Nutrition Facts statement
(unless the food qualifies for an exemption from this portion of the
label.
The ingredient information becomes especially crucial to consumers
with food allergies and/or sensitivities or other dietary restrictions.
Reports of allergic reactions to incompletely or incorrectly labeled
foods continue to increase. The U S Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
initiates food product recalls when foods are discovered to contain
unlabeled ingredients which are known allergens. After label corrections
are made, the foods may be returned to the marketplace
3.
To prevent fraud, misrepresentation, and unfair competition
This helps protect both consumers and manufacturers. Compliance officers
performing inspections collect labels they suspect are fraudulent
and/or misrepresentative and bring them in for review. When all producers
follow the same labeling rules, it creates an even playing field preventing
unscrupulous persons from misrepresenting their product to deceive
consumers and to create unfair advantage for themselves.
The label review program helps assure that consumers get complete
and accurate information in a uniform format on all food products.
Correct and complete food labels help to protect consumers and contribute
to a safe and healthful food source for all of us. However, consumers
are still ultimately responsible to read and understand the label
and make choices based on their personal needs.
How
the Food Labeling Review Process Works
All
food products that are packaged in advance of sale must be completely
and correctly labeled before being offered for sale. The information
required on labels includes:
- Common
or usual name of the product (which must be fully descriptive
and not misleading)
- Net quantity
statement
- Name and
address of the producer, manufacturer, or distributor
- Ingredient
statement, with ingredients listed in descending order of predominance
by weight.
- Nutrition
Facts statement following the FDA approved format (unless exempt).
The State of
Utah reviews food labels for compliance to these rules and regulations.
Utah manufacturers/producers should make a sketch of their labels
and send them in to be reviewed before having them printed.
Labels
for review are identified in several ways. Incorrect/incomplete
labels are identified during store inspections. Compliance officers
assisting food manufacturers to get approval for their food production
facility refer them to the Labeling Specialist, for assistance in
designing correct labels for their products. Packets with labeling
guidelines are mailed to people who contact the Department with
questions about requirement for food processing and sales. Some
people contact the Department as a result of information posted
on our website.
When
labels are received, they are reviewed as quickly as time permits.
Difficult questions are referred to FDA for assistance. Most label
reviews are written, e-mailed, faxed, or mailed to the producer
or manufacturer with a copy kept in the file. Labels needing little
correction may be discussed over the phone with the person submitting
the labels. People
can call for an appointment to discuss their labels in person. If
they aren't fluent in English, they should arrange to bring an interpreter
with them. Basic labeling guidelines are available in Spanish as
well as English.
Send the
rough drafts of your labels to:
, Labeling Specialist
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
PO Box 146500
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6500
Links to More Labeling Information
Food Allergen Labeling Summary
Labeling Guidelines for Food For Retail Sale
FDA/CFSAN
Information on Product Labeling
Packaging
and Labeling of Commodities
Basic
Labeling Guidelines
Basic Labeling Guidelines in
Spanish
Common Labeling Errors
Nutrition Facts Statement and instructions
Nutrition
Facts Exemptions
Small Business Exemption
update of 21 CFR 101.9
Simplified Small Business
Exemption Requirements
Small Business Exemption
Application FormEnglish-language
labeling requirements for products labeled in a foreign language
The entire Code
of Federal Regulations (searchable)
Full text of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
FDA
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Labeling
and Nutrition Information
