FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact:
Gene Grabowski (202) 337-9400 or http://www.gmabrands.com/
GMA, Food Allergy Alliance Develop "Easy
to Understand" Labeling
Guidelines
WASHINGTON, DC,
May 31, 2001 "Informing consumers about food
allergens in products with simple,
easy-to-understand language can limit unexpected
allergic reactions, especially in children,"
according to GMA Director of Scientific and
Nutrition Policy, Lisa Katic, R.D.
"Current regulations for product labels require
the use of scientific terms: albumin for eggs or
whey instead of milk. These terms can be confusing
for adults, let alone children," said Katic. "The
new guidelines we are outlining today will bring
some clarity to confusion and help parents and
children with food allergies avoid products that
may trigger a reaction."
Katic presented the new labeling guidelines at
a Food Allergy Issues Alliance press conference
today. The alliance is a group of food trade
associations, consumer groups and other interested
organizations that convene to address
allergy-related issues.
Major points covered by the food allergen
labeling guidelines include:
--Identification of the eight major food
allergens;
--Using simple, easy-to-understand terms for
allergens and consistently placing that
information within, or in immediate proximity to,
the ingredient panel;
--Disclosure of the presence of major food
allergens when they are an intentional part of the
food. Thus, allergens would be disclosed
regardless of the fact they may currently be
exempted from declaration (e.g., as part of a
flavor, or as an incidental additive or processing
aid); and
--Establish guidelines for conditions when the
use of supplemental allergen statements ("may
contain" labeling) is appropriate.
"These guidelines are the result of careful and
thoughtful effort by industry and consumer
groups," said Katic. "These guidelines offer
flexibility for manufacturers while protecting the
health of those who suffer from food
allergies."
The allergy labeling
guidelines are available at www.gmabrands.com.
###
GMA is the world's largest association of food,
beverage and consumer product companies. With U.S.
sales of more than $500 billion, GMA members
employ more than 2.5 million workers in all 50
states. The organization applies legal, scientific
and political expertise from its member companies
to vital food, nutrition and public policy issues
affecting the industry. Led by a board of 42 Chief
Executive Officers, GMA speaks for food and
consumer product manufacturers and sales agencies
at the state, federal and international levels on
legislative and regulatory issues. The association
also leads efforts to increase productivity,
efficiency and growth in the food, beverage and
consumer products industry. Press Contacts
Related GMA Documents dealing
with - FOOD ALLERGY GUIDELINES
COMMENT
NEWS RELEASE
- August
13, 2001 Food Industry Leading Efforts
To Better Inform Consumers About Food Allergies
- May
31, 2001 GMA, Food Allergy Alliance
Develop "Easy to Understand" Labeling Guidelines
TESTIMONY
Related GMA Documents dealing
with - LABELING
COMMENT
- April
5, 2002 The Codex “Proposed Draft
Amendment to the General Standard for the
Labeling of Prepackaged Foods: Quantitative
Declaration of Ingredients”
- December
21, 2001 Traceability & Labeling
Provisions of Proposed Regulations on
Genetically Modified - Food & Feed and
Traceability & Labeling
- August
30, 2001 Traceability & Labeling
Provisions of the Proposed Regulations on
Genetically Modified Food & Feed and the
Traceability & Labeling of Genetically
Modified Organisms
- July
10, 2001 ICGMA Comments on Australian
Country-of-Origin Labeling Proposal
- March
28, 2000 Guidance on Significant
Scientific Agreement
CORRESPONDENCE
- January
14, 2003 GMA Letter to FDA Calling for
Mutual Recognition of Labeling Standards in
North America
- September
12, 2001 GMA Urges Mutual Recognition
on Food Labeling between the U.S. and Canada
- November
30, 2000 GMA Supports Canadian Move to
Harmonize Nutritional Labeling
- November
12, 1999 In Letter to Clinton, 38
Food, Farm Organizations Urge President to
Support FDA Food Biotechnology Policy
NEWS
RELEASE
- July
22, 2003 GMA SAYS BIOTECH
TRACEABILITY, LABELING RULE WILL INHIBIT
TRADE
EU Labeling Rule Not Supported by
Science
- May
29, 2003 GMA RECOMMENDS NEW, EFFICIENT
QUALIFIED HEALTH CLAIMS APPROVAL PROCESS
- November
6, 2002
OREGONIANS REJECT MANDATORY BIOTECH
LABELING
- May
8, 2002 GMA Says Lawsuit Calling for
Warning Labels Unfounded; FDA and California
Attorney General Say Chocolate is Safe
- May
7, 2002 .
- August
13, 2001 Food Industry Leading Efforts
To Better Inform Consumers About Food Allergies
- July
27, 2001 CURRENT LABELING LAWS ALLOW
CONSUMERS TO MAKE "SMART BUYING DECISIONS"
- May
31, 2001 GMA, Food Allergy Alliance
Develop "Easy to Understand" Labeling Guidelines
- May
23, 2001 GMA Says Massachusetts
Mandatory Labeling Bill "Unnecessary And
Redundant"
- May
4, 2001 U.S. Industry and Government
Position Prevails on Biotech Labeling at Codex
- May
3, 2001 FDA POLICY KEEPS IMPORTANT
HEALTH INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC, GMA TELLS
CONGRESS
- January
17, 2001 FDA PROPOSAL FOR BIOTECH
LABELING AND PRODUCT APPROVAL "A VICTORY FOR
CONSUMERS"
- November
18, 1999 GMA: FDA Biotech Labeling
Policy Protects Consumers, "Serves The Public
Interest"
- November
15, 1999 Three Dozen Food, Farm Groups
Urge President to Support FDA Biotech Policy
- June
11, 1999 GMA: NATIONAL UNIFORMITY FOR
FOOD ACT REPRESENTS "COMMON SENSE CONSUMER
INITIATIVE" House Bill Introduced by Rep. Burr;
Companion to Sen. Roberts' Measure
- May
27, 1999 GMA: COMMON SENSE BILL
PROVIDES UNIFORM, SCIENCE-BASED FOOD LABELING
STANDARDS FOR CONSUMERS
- May
11, 1999 GMA: "TIME IS RIPE" FOR FDA
TO RECONSIDER AND REVISE HEALTH CLAIMS APPROVAL
PROCESS
- September
1, 1998 FOOD INDUSTRY URGES FDA
NOMINEE TO PUT FOOD ISSUES ON EQUAL LEVEL
TESTIMONY
- March
10, 2003 GMA Testimony in Opposition
Connecticut Biotech Food Labeling Bill
- April
8, 2002 GMA Letter of Opposition to
California Trans Fatty Acids Labeling Bill
- March
25, 2002 GMA Letter of Opposition to
Mandatory Rhode Island rBST Labeling Bill
- February
5, 2002 GMA Letter of Opposition to
Hawaii Biotech-Free Food Labeling Bill
- October
9, 2001 GMA Letter of Opposition to
Puerto Rico Biotech Food Labeling Bill
- August
13, 2001 Advisory Labeling of Major
Food Allergens
- August
13, 2001 GMA Testimony to FDA on
Common English Name Labeling
- June
28, 2001 GMA Testifies in Opposition
to Suffolk County, NY Bottled Water Labeling
Resolution
- May
31, 2001 Food Allergy Issues Alliance
Labeling Guidelines
- May
30, 2001 GMA Letter in Opposition to
New York Product Dating Labeling Bill
- May
23, 2001 GMA Testifies Against
Massachusetts Bill for Mandatory Labeling of
Biotech Foods
- May
7, 2001 GMA Testifies in Support of
FDA Biotech-Free Labeling Guidance at New York
Hearing
- May
3, 2001 FDA POLICY KEEPS IMPORTANT
HEALTH INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC
- April
17, 2001 GMA Comments on USDA/GIPSA
Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
- April
13, 2001 GMA Letter of Opposition to
Mass. Green Dot Labeling Legislation
- April
11, 2001 GMA Testifies in Support of
FDA-Based Maine "Biotech-Free" Labeling Bill
- March
29, 2001 Expert Witness Testifies on
Behalf of GMA in Opposition to Maine Mandatory
Biotech Food Labeling Bill
- March
29, 2001 GMA Letter in Opposition to
Maine Mandatory Biotech Food Labeling Bill
- March
21, 2001 GMA Testifies in Opposition
to New Hampshire Mandatory Food Biotechnology
Labeling Bill
- March
21, 2001 GMA Testifies in Support of
FDA GMO-Free Labeling Guidance at Minnesota
Hearing
- March
21, 2001 Voluntary Labeling Indicating
Whether Foods Have or Have Not Been Developed
Using Bioengineering
- March
15, 2001 Letter in Opposition to
Connecticut Prop 65 Clone Bill
- February
15, 2001 GMA Letter in Opposition of
Nebraska Product Origin Labeling Bill
- February
14, 2001 GMA Letter in Opposition to
Florida "Sell By" Product Dating Bill
- February
9, 2001 GMA Letter of Opposition to
Colorado Biotech Food Labeling Bill
- February
9, 2001 GMA Letter of Opposition to
Rhode Island rBST Labeling Bill
- February
7, 2001 Biotech Labeling Legislation
Pending In Mexico
- February
29, 2000 GMA Testimony, Connecticut
Warning Label Legislation, SB 433
- November
18, 1999 GMA Testimony on
Biotechnology: FDA Biotech Labeling Policy
Protects Consumers, "Serves The Public Interest"
- June
23, 1999 GMA Urges Veto Of Senate Bill
945
- May
10, 1999 GMA Opposes HB 3136
- April
12, 1999 GMA Opposes Legislative
Docket 1985
- April
12, 1999 GMA Opposes Legislative
Docket 713
- March
10, 1999 GMA Opposes House Bill 887
- July
28, 1998 The Transatlantic Economic
Partnership
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