FDA Request for Comment on “Natural”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced a request for information and comments “on the use of the term ‘natural’ in the labeling of human food products, including foods that are genetically engineered or contain ingredients produced through the use of genetic engineering.” (80 Fed. Reg. 69905)  Comments will be received until 2/10/16.  The FDA took this action because food and beverage corporations have petitioned it to allow genetically engineered food to be labeled “natural”; consumer and citizen organizations have petitioned it to prohibit genetically engineered food from being labeled “natural”; and federal courts dealing with private litigations have “requested administrative determinations … regarding whether food products containing ingredients produced using genetic engineering or foods containing high fructose corn syrup may be labeled as ‘natural.’”  The FDA’s current interpretation of the term “natural” excludes foods with added colors, synthetic substances, flavors, and artificial or synthetic ingredients. (21 CFR 101.22)  The FDA is also examining the use of the term “natural” by the U.S. Agricultural Department (AD) for meat, poultry, and egg products, as well as considering areas for future coordination between the two agencies.