Food labeling laws
came into being in the United States to address the safety concerns of all food products. These laws ensure that the food is safe to eat and also provide consumers with information on the type of food that they are purchasing. Food labeling is regulated by two federal agencies, namely the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
FDA Regulations
FDA food labeling laws require that the labels on the food products contain the product name, the net contents of the package in terms of weight or count, a list of ingredients and a nutrition facts statement along with the manufacturer's name and address. The FDA with the help of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA) implemented guidelines defining which terms could be used to describe the level of a nutrient in the food. It also defined the health claims that could be made about the connection between the food or nutrient and the risk of a disease. These are the two basic factors that must to be present on a food label for any food product.
Nutrient Content Claims
The nutrient content statement on the food label essentially discloses the level of nutrients present in the food.This statement is placed prominently on the face of the package so that it allows the buyer to compare various food products easily. The FDA food labeling laws define 11 main terms that can be used to define the nutrient content and the circumstances under which they can be used.
Health Claims
Health claims, on the other hand, connect the nutritive profile of the food item to a certain health condition or a disease. The FDA food labeling rules permit the manufacturer to claim that the food is "healthy" if it contains a limited amount of sodium and cholesterol and is low in fats--especially saturated fats. The food should contain at least 10 percent of the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of either vitamin A or C, iron, protein, calcium and fiber.
Compliance of the Law
Even though the FDA defines the laws for food labeling, it does not keep watch over the manufacturers to determine whether or not they follow the labeling laws. This job is entrusted to the state agencies that ensure the compliance of these laws with the help of inspectors. However, many food manufacturing industries follow the self-regulation policy and comply with the rules of their own accord.
Recent Laws
In March 2009, a new food labeling policy was enacted so that consumers get all the information required to track the origins of the food they purchase. The new labels state where the food originated, thus informing the buyer whether the food was imported or not. This is a requirement for meat products, fruits and vegetables and some perishable foods.
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