'Tis the season that we're seeing limited time only (LTO) foods added to menus. At the beginning of fall, it's pumpkin, spice, and everything nice. Are you unsure what the labeling laws are for these seasonal, LTO menu items? The FDA has made it very clear and concise, temporary menu items are exempt from menu labeling. According to the FDA (21 CFR 101.11(a)), a temporary menu item means a food that appears on a menu or menu board for less than a total of 60 days per calendar year. The 60 ... Full Article
Archives for 2021
Dual Column Nutrition Facts Label
What is and when do you use a dual column nutrition facts label? As the name suggests, nutrition information for a food product is presented in two columns with each column representing different information. There are four purposes for using a dual column nutrition facts label. Let’s take a look at each. A common use of a dual column label is with products that require further preparation, such as baking mixes. The FDA requires nutrition information presented on the Nutrition Facts label be ... Full Article
Sesame Allergen included in FASTER Act
Sesame became the ninth allergen that must be declared on food labels as mandated in the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act. The FASTER Act was signed into law, by President Biden, on April 23, 2021. This change applies to any food for interstate commerce and goes into effect on or after January 1, 2023. Currently, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of 2004 requires the declaration of eight major food allergies, including egg, ... Full Article
Nutrition Facts Panels for Beverages
If you manufacture beverages, you're probably aware that the FDA reference amounts customarily consumed (RACC) for beverages is 12 fluid ounces. (Fruit juice, milk, and milk-based drinks' RACC are eight fluid ounces.) The RACC guides the serving size on a Nutrition Facts panel (NFP). That means the serving size for a Nutrition Facts panel for beverages is 12 fluid ounces or some other unit that makes sense and still follows FDA regulations. What if your bottled beverage is under or over 12 fluid ... Full Article
Alcoholic Beverages Exempt from Menu Labeling
Restaurants and similar food establishments covered under the FDA menu labeling legislation are required to post calories on their menus. Alcoholic beverages listed on a menu must also declare calories. However, there are some exemptions to keep in mind. Alcoholic drinks offered by your establishment but not listed on a menu, such as bottles of alcohol on display that are not self-serve and used for rail or mixed drinks, are exempt from menu labeling. For example, if a customer orders a gin ... Full Article
