FDA Extends Deadline to Submit Comments on Use of the Term “Natural”

Photo © iStockphoto.com/dra_schwartz

FDA has extended the public comment period for the use of the term natural on food labeling to May 10, 2016. The comment period, which began on November 12, 2015, will extend 90 days longer than FDA had originally announced. FDA says it decided to extend the comment period “in direct response to requests from the public.”

On November 10, 2015, FDA announced it was requesting comments on use of the term natural, a sign that the agency may be inching toward creating a formal definition for natural after years of avoiding addressing the labeling issue.

FDA has said it is particularly interested in receiving comments on the following questions:

·      Whether it is appropriate to define the term natural

·      If so, how the agency should define natural

·      How the agency should determine appropriate use of the term on food labels.

To submit comments, visit http://www.regulations.gov and type FDA-2014-N-1207 in the search box.

Read more:

FDA Requesting Comments on Use of the Term “Natural”

What’s the Difference Between Natural and Organic Foods? Don’t Ask Consumers

"Natural" and "All Natural" Claims Still Undefined

Michael Crane
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook Magazine
michael.crane@ubm.com