FDA Cracks Down on Food Labeling

The Food and Drug Administration has fired off warning letters to 17 companies including Nestle, Beech-nut, and Dreyers Grand Ice Cream, directing them to correct food product labels that run afoul of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The violations included unauthorized health claims, unauthorized nutrient content claims, and the unauthorized use of terms such as “health,” that have strict, regulatory definitions.

For example, Beech-nut, PBM, First Juice and Nestle were cited for making claims on products intended for children under 2 years of age like “low sodium” and "plus vitamins & minerals." Such claims are not allowed because appropriate dietary levels have not been established for children in this age range.

Nestle was also dinged for implying that "Juicy Juice All-Natural 100% Juice Orange Tangerine" and "Juicy Juice All-Natural 100% Juice Grape" were 100% juice, when they are actually juice blends with added flavors.

Gorton’s Inc. was taken to task for boasting on the front of its package that its fish fillets have no trans fats, but failing to add a disclosure adjacent to the claim such as "See nutrition information for fat, saturated fat, and
sodium content.” (in this case, 19 g total fat, 4.5 g saturated fat, and 680 mg sodium per serving).

Dreyers ice cream drumsticks and bite-sized ice cream snacks were cited for the same offense.

Pom Wonderful got in trouble for claiming its pomegranate juice will treat, prevent, or cure diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. These types of claims are not allowed on food products.

Diamond Food Inc. faces the same problem with its claim that shelled walnuts will treat, prevent, or cure diseases such as heart disease, arthritis and cancer.

Companies that received warning letters have 15 business days to inform the FDA of the steps they will take to correct their labeling.

“Today, ready access to reliable information about the calorie and nutrient content of food is even more important, given the prevalence of obesity and diet-related diseases in the United States," said FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg in an open letter to the food industry dated March 3. “I have made improving the scientific accuracy and usefulness of food labeling one of my priorities.”

Comments

[Marcus]

I know what would make labels more hepulfl if it was required that they list all chemical fertilizers and pesticides used when growing the product, all chemicals used in the processing of the product, and list whether it contains genetically modified ingredients. Thanks!Mary Ann

[Guevardo]

What do you think about the draft legislation Safe Compounding Act of 2007 by Kennedy, Burr, Robertson?Apparently, they are going to try to pigacbgyk this travesty on to PDUFA-IV.It has the potential to federalize pharmacy and prevent patients from receiving life-saving compounded preparations. It may open the doors for limiting doctors ability to prescribe for off-label use .The FDA has no business inspecting pharmacies. This is a States Boards of Pharmacy function. The FDA's charter is to regulate MANUFACTURING. Their Post- Marketing Surveillance has been dismal (witness Zelnorm this week and Vioxx, Prozac for teenagers, OTC decongestant use in infants before that the list is endless.)I worked as a Drug Information Specialist at the FDA in Rockville in the mid-70 s and it was disfunctional THEN (2 hr. martini lunches, lost files so I could not review adverse drug events and delinquent labeling changes). There was a revolving door then.Now the revolving door involves Senators. It only got worse with PDUFA.

[soft cialis]

I think that a good nutrition is the key to avoid the most devastating illness and diseases.

[Web Designing Karachi]

A great article indeed and a very detailed, realistic and superb analysis, of this issue, very nice write up, Thanks.

[POM Wonderful]

Jenna, I enjoyed reading your post and comments, it will be interesting to see where it goes because this is beyond just labeling. Here is our official statement about the FDA letter: "POM supports its scientific research and advocates honest labeling. We look forward to working with the FDA to resolve this matter. http://www.bit.ly/pomfda"

[Carolina Gypsy]

The FDA action is less about truth than it is about money. The law that says only DRUGS or MEDICATIONS approved by the FDA can make ANY claims at all. The real truth is that Big Pharma, the most poweful lobby in Washington, with 2 lobbyists for every legislator, does not make any money on walnuts, ice cream, etc.

[Paul]

Well this is a bit of the pot calling the kettle black. It is now estimated that Vioxx caused some 140,000 heart attacks and 50,000 deaths by heart attack while it was on the market. Was that "fraudulent advertising" by the FDA when they promoted it for treatment of acute pain? If Vioxx were an isolated tragic example one might have some confidence but it is not. Now they are going after a food producer for failing to mention that ice cream has fat? Further, food can both treat and prevent medical conditions it is all over the medical literature who is the FDA to say this may not be spoken of, it is absurd. Let's put it another way, do carrots cure vitamin A deficiency night blindness? does food cure marasmus and Kwashiorkor's disease (i.e. starvation) does water cure renal insufficiency brought on from dehydration. What do you mean people can't mention foods can treat and prevent diseases, what inanity and infringement of freedom of speech? Stop allowing chemical concoctions on the market that kill as many Americans as died in the Vietnam war and maybe someone will give a hoot about your warnings.
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