Last Call – Mandatory Allergen and Trans Fat Labeling Date Nears
In less than 6 months nearly all FDA-regulated food products labeled for sale in the U.S. must comply with new FDA requirements for trans fat and food allergen labeling. January 1, 2006, is the deadline for both compliance issues.
(PRWEB) June 28, 2005 -- In less than six months, on January 1, 2006, nearly
all FDA-regulated food products labeled for sale in the U.S. must comply with
new FDA requirements for trans fat and food allergen labeling. FDA published the
final rule for trans fat labeling July 9, 2003; the Food Allergen Labeling and
Consumer Protection Act of 2004 was signed into public law on August 2, 2004.
January 1, 2006, is the deadline for both compliance issues.
Despite the
lengthy time period between publications of requirements and the compliance
date, many labelers have not yet initiated steps to revise labels. “Small
cottage companies tend to fall into this category,” explained Karen Duester,
president of Food Consulting Company. “Such companies often don’t dedicate
personnel to following changes in food labeling regulations and are just now
learning about the upcoming deadline for trans fat and allergen requirements
because of alerts from Food Consulting Company and late breaking industry press
coverage.”
Duester is encouraging trade publications to include alerts
and to direct readers to http://www.foodlabels.com/2006 for a summary of what is
required. The summary includes links to government websites that provide
complete details for what is required and a link for companies to request expert
food label help from Food Consulting Company.
The January 1, 2006,
requirements affect nearly all FDA regulated food labels. Not since 1993, when
compliance for the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 became
mandatory, have so many labels required revision.
In her communications
with food companies, Duester has also found food labelers fearing that once
labels are updated, they will need to make further but not yet specified
changes. However, the fact is, labels that meet the January 1, 2006,
requirements will require no additional changes until at least January 1, 2008,
which is the next uniform compliance date. FDA sets uniform dates to lessen the
economic impact that labelers would experience if changes were mandatory upon
publication of new regulations.
Concerned parties can keep up-to-date on
food labeling regulation changes by subscribing to Food Label News, a free
monthly email newsletter, at http://www.foodlabels.com/subscribe.
Food Consulting
Company, based in Del Mar, CA, and the largest out-source provider assisting
food companies in meeting FDA and USDA labeling requirements, offers a full
range of food labeling services. The company can be reached at http://www.foodlabels.com, or
by calling 800-793-2844.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/prweb255487.htm