FDA Releases New Guidance on Food Labeling Regulations, Low-Moisture RTE Food Safety
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released four new guidance documents to help industry comply with food labeling regulations concerning allergens and plant-based alternatives to animal foods, as well as food safety regulations for ready-to-eat (RTE), low-moisture foods.
Regarding allergens, FDA released two new guidance documents. The first is the fifth edition of a question-and-answer document about the food allergen labeling requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDC). The guidance replaces the draft and final guidance documents on food allergen labeling that were issued in November 2022, and has been updated based on comments to include answers to additional questions. FDA also released a final guidance for FDA staff and interested stakeholders on the evaluation of the public health importance of food allergens other than the nine major allergens defined in U.S. law (milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame).
Concerning low-moisture RTE foods, FDA released a draft guidance for industry to inform sanitation programs and corrective actions following a pathogen contamination event. It is intended to help manufacturers and processors of low-moisture RTE foods—including powdered infant formula, peanut butter, nut butters, powdered drink mixes, chocolate, medical foods in powdered and paste forms, processed tree nuts, milk powders, powdered spices, snack foods such as chips and crackers, granola bars, and dry cereal—comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), hazards analysis, and risk-based preventive controls.
Finally, FDA published a draft industry guidance on the labeling of plant-based alternatives to animal foods. It outlines best practices for naming and labeling plant-based alternatives to eggs, seafood, poultry, meat, and dairy (excluding plant-based milk alternatives). If finalized, the guidance will help industry develop labels that allow consumers to understand the nature of plant-based alternative foods, including differences among these products, so they can make informed decisions.
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