Comment period on Standards of Identity was reopened by FDA

To consider whether to establish, revise, or eliminate a food standard of identity, the United States federal agency Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has reopened the comment period on a 2005 proposed rule to establish a set of general principles for the agency to use.

Claudine Kavanaugh, FDA/CFSAN Director of the Office of Nutrition and Food Labeling, has pointed that to promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers, the food standards of identity were established by the FDA shortly after the Federal Food, Drugs, and Cosmetic Act was enacted in 1938. A general principle is certainly needed considering the development of new types of food products and manufacturing processes. The contents of a food product, the proportion of its contents and how it’s manufactured are described by the standards of identity. For example, ketchup, bread, and milk chocolate all have standards of identity. Many standards of identity are now over 80 years old, and hence the federal agency has come up with a proposal to finalize general principles for when to consider revoking, revising or establishing a food standard of identity. Comments will be accepted for 60 days following the date of publication.