Beverage Industry logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Beverage Industry logo
  • NEWS
    • R&D News
    • Supplier News
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Reader's Choice Poll
  • CATEGORIES
    • Alternative Drinks
    • Beer
    • Bottled Water
    • Cannabis Beverages
    • Carbonated Soft Drinks
    • Energy Drinks & Shots
    • Juice & Juice Drinks
    • Plant-Based Beverages
    • Sports Drinks
    • Tea and Coffee
    • Wine & Spirits
  • R&D
    • Beverage R&D Features
    • Ingredient Spotlight
  • PACKAGING
    • New Packages
    • Packaging Equipment
    • Packaging Material
  • OPERATIONS
    • Distribution
    • Plant Focus
  • TOP LISTS
    • Beer Market Report
    • Executive of the Year
    • State of the Beverage Industry
    • Top 100 Beverage Companies
    • Truck Report
    • Wholesaler of the Year
  • MEDIA
    • eBook
    • Podcast
    • Polls
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Annual Manual
    • Contract Packaging Guide
    • Take a Tour
  • MORE
    • Classifieds
    • Channel Strategies
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
      • Membrane Technology Forum
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Market Insights
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archived Issues
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Commentary

FDA seeking comments on natural labeling

Submissions can be sent through Feb. 10

By Jessica Jacobsen
Jessica Jacobsen
January 15, 2016

My high school government teacher stressed the importance of avoiding ambiguous and loaded language when asking questions. To test this theory, each student developed a question and was asked to go to the lunch room’s open study hall to ask a handful of students our question.

Upon returning and discussing our individual questions nearly everyone had a mixed bag of responses, except for one student who had arrived late to class. His question contained loaded language and 100 percent of the people he polled had the same response. This experiment left an impression on me — to strive to keep ambiguity out of my interview questions.

However, it is not always easy to minimize the ambiguity of a subject. Because of this, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking steps to help tackle a subject that has plagued the food and beverage industries for years: What is natural?

Currently, the FDA has no definition for the term natural. However, at present, the agency is not objecting to using the term on the labels of products that do not contain added color, artificial flavors or synthetic substances, it states.

But the FDA also notes that its response has not satisfied many consumers. In November, it announced that it would like to hear from the public about what a product labeled as natural signifies to them.

“The FDA is taking this action, in part, because it received three Citizen Petitions asking that the agency define the term ‘natural’ for use in food labeling and one Citizen Petition asking that the agency prohibit the term ‘natural’ on food labels,” the FDA stated. “We also note that some Federal courts, as a result of litigation between private parties, have requested administrative determinations from the FDA regarding whether food products containing ingredients produced using genetic engineering or foods containing high-fructose corn syrup may be labeled as ‘natural.’”

Specifically, the FDA noted three questions it wants addressed by the public:

  • Whether it is appropriate to define the term natural,
  • If so, how the agency should define natural, and
  • How the agency should determine appropriate use of the term on food labels.

This possible definition will have an immense impact on the beverage industry. Brand owners could be tasked with changing their labels, or even their formulations, if they want to maintain the natural attribute.

To make sure the FDA knows what you think natural really means, now is the time to share it with the agency. The FDA will be taking comments through Feb. 10. Submissions can be mailed or sent electronically. To see exactly how you can share your opinion, visit fda.gov.

KEYWORDS: FDA (Food and Drug Administration) natural beverages

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Jess 200

Jessica Jacobsen, editor of Beverage Industry, visits a range of beverage companies for cover stories and facility tours, represents the magazine at trade shows and industry events, and works with the Beverage Industry team to determine the content and direction of the magazine and its online components. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Marquette University.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • top 100 beverage companies

    Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2024

    For the global beverage market, mergers and acquisitions...
    Wine & Spirits
  • Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla shakes

    Classic flavors provide reliable, consistent results for beverage-makers

    Classic flavors of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry...
    Ingredient Spotlight
    By: Chloe Alverson
  • Free Spirits Instant Bar Bundle

    Lifestyle trends drive growth for non-alcohol category

    As lifestyle trends continue to drive growth for the...
    Wine & Spirits
    By: Lauren Sabetta
Manage My Account
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Beverage Industry audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Beverage Industry or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Fourpeople toasting with cocktails made with low-sugar ingredients, celebrating healthier drink options.
    Sponsored byCargill

    What’s Hot in Sugar Reduction: Beverages

  • chocolate milk
    Sponsored byCargill

    Sweetening the Future for Dairy and Dairy-Alternative Beverages

  • woman pouring a drink
    Sponsored byFFP

    Building a Beverage System: Meeting Consumer Demand for Precision Wellness

Popular Stories

Celsius Fizz Free

CELSIUS launches new Fizz-Free flavors

PepsiCo.jpg

PepsiCo advances AI agenda

Narragansett Beer 1975 cans

Narragansett Beer celebrates 50 years of ‘Jaws’

Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2024

Events

April 16, 2025

2025 State of the Industry Series: Alcoholic Beverages

On Demand In Beverage Industry’s annual State of the Industry: The Alcohol Beverage Market, analysts at S&D Insights LLC delve into these trends and how they’re shaping the industry.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Retail Coffee Segment

What retail coffee segments will fare well into the next year?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

Milk and Dairy Foods Nutrition, Processing and Healthy Aging

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Jessica Jacobsen

    USDA seeks public comments on organic

    See More
  • plant-based milk alternatives

    FDA offers guidance on labels for plant-based milk alternatives

    See More
  • The Dreaming Tree wines features pressure sensitive labels.

    Sustainability has growing influence on labeling materials for beverages

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • natural beverage.jpg

    Natural Beverages 1st Edition

  • GlobalData_Consumer1.jpg

    Impact on Food and Beverage Innovation - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Case Study

  • bigfood.jpg

    Big Food: Critical perspectives on the global growth of the food and beverage industry

See More Products
×

Elevate your expertise in the beverage marketplace with unparalleled insights and connections.

Join thousands of beverage professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing