July 2023

Dear Christina,

Welcome to July's Label Alert! In this month's headlines: lab-grown meat is approved for sale in the U.S., USDA ramps up oversight of certain meat claims, FDA plans more consumer research into front-of-pack labeling, and more ...

Plus, this month we're offering $100 off Prime Label's affordable EZ Form Nutrition & Label Compliance software.

Now, get caught up on the latest industry news from Label Alert.

'A New Era': US Regulator Allows First Sales of Lab-Grown Meat

Two companies, Upside Foods and Good Meat, said on Wednesday they have received final U.S. Department of Agriculture approval to sell lab-grown meat, paving the way for the nation's first-ever sales of the product.

Read on...

USDA Will Increase Oversight of Animal-Raising and Antibiotic Use Claims on Meat

USDA will crack down on animal-raising claims, such as ‘grass-fed’ and ‘free-range,’ and could require lab testing or launch a new verification sampling program for negative antibiotics claims, such as ‘raised without antibiotics,’ as part of a broader effort by the Biden Administration to promote competition in the American economy.

Read on ...

USDA Press Release

FDA Continues Work on Consumer Research on Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling

On June 15, 2023, FDA issued a 30-day procedural notice1 regarding its planned study “Quantitative Research on Front of Package Labeling on Packaged Foods.” The study will be a step forward in FDA’s FOP initiative to develop standardized labeling aimed at helping consumers more easily identify the nutritional attributes of foods.

Read on ...

How FDA’s New Approach to Reviewing Chemicals Added to Food Will Strengthen Food Safety

FDA is enhancing its approach to food chemical safety in three key areas: expanding tools and methods used to conduct safety reviews and assess food chemicals, updating processes to determine if reassessment of a chemical is needed, and continuing to monitor the food supply to ensure chemicals are used at safe levels.

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‘Made in the USA’ or ‘Product of USA’ Favored by the Public During Comments

USDA’s proposed rule with new regulatory requirements to better align the voluntary “Product of USA” label claim with consumer understanding of what the claim means appears to have collected a lot of support. The recent March through June public comment period has resulted in 3,358 individual filings with support for the rule being dominant.

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Pallone Calls for More Transparent Food Labels, Better Guidance for Consumers

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. of New Jersey held a press conference to call for more transparent food labels and better guidance for consumers. In April, Pallone introduced the Food Labeling Modernization Act to make food labels more consumer friendly and easier to understand.

Read on ...