Final Rule on Nutrition Labeling Published

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s final rule for voluntary nutrition labeling regulations for the 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits and 20 most frequently consumed vegetables was published in the July 25 Federal Register.

The final rule becomes effective Jan. 1, 2008, but marketers can begin using the new values now if they choose.

The new rule sets nutrition labeling values.

According to the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), the industry had asked for more time for sampling products at different times of the year, which would provide a more accurate reflection of the seasonal impact on nutrient content values. FDA does encourage the produce industry to continue to conduct research on nutrient values and to submit new data to FDA for consideration in future updates, according to PMA.

The guidelines in FDA’s final rule contain additional revisions for half of all of the most frequently consumed fruits and vegetables, with an average of approximately two revised nutrients per revised food item. The final rule also contains a chart detailing these changes.

The 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits are apples, avocadoes, bananas, cantaloupe, grapefruit, grapes, honeydew melons, kiwifruit, lemons, limes, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, strawberries, sweet cherries, tangerines and watermelons.

The 20 most frequently consumed raw vegetables are asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, green (snap) beans, green cabbage, green onions, iceberg lettuce, leaf lettuce, mushrooms, onions, potatoes, radishes, summer squash, sweet corn, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.

Based on the changes in nutrition information, some produce items may no longer qualify for the same nutrient content claims as have been made previously, PMA said. It is assessing the impact of these changes on nutrient content claims.

The final rule also clarifies trans fat labeling requirements for the voluntary nutrition labeling of raw fruits and vegetables and fish. When nutrition information is provided for more than one raw fruit or vegetable, the listing of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol may be omitted if the following footnote is used: “Most fruits and vegetables provide negligible amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.

FDA said that, because of acceptable compliance levels at store level, nutrition labeling for the fruits and vegetables will remain a voluntary program. Industry suppliers and retailers are encouraged to incorporate the new nutritional values into signage and packaging.

-Dick Lehnert