Category: food labeling

FDA Steps Up Enforcement of Label Violations for Food Imports

Posted on by Patrick Morin

I previously posted an article discussing the importance of accurate labeling, especially for food importers. Labeling errors are one of the most common reasons products shipped to the United States are refused entry. If a product is found to contain a labeling violation, the FDA may deem the product “misbranded,” making it a prohibited act to distribute the product in the U.S. Once the FDA identifies one mistake on a businesses’ labels, the agency is more likely to stop this businesses’ products at the border in the future.

In March 2018, the FDA refused entry to over 150 food products attempting to enter the U.S. These food products from various countries throughout the world now cannot be sold in the U.S. in their current form due to labeling violations, so now importers are faced with a difficult business decision.

There are three things importers can do with the refused products. First, they may re-label each item with FDA compliant labels. This would require the importer to design, print and affix new labels to each item refused entry within 15 days’ of receiving the refusal notice. The tight time-frame to accomplish these tasks is very difficult for smaller single-item shipments and almost impossible for larger multi-item shipments due to the manpower it would take to complete the labeling, in addition to the cost a labeling specialist will charge to expedite revised labels.

Another option is to export the products back to their port of origin or another suitable country (e.g., Canada, Mexico). While the importer would retain ownership of the products, the additional shipping cost may exceed the value of the underlying products. The last option, and usually the option of last resort, is to destroy the products while under FDA supervision. This usually occurs when the cost to re-label or export exceeds the value of the products refused entry.

FDA previously announced their intention to focus on import violations, as demonstrated by the March refusal list and their commitment to enforcing labeling laws. In order to avoid the high costs and delays resulting from a labeling violation, it is best to have food labels reviewed for FDA compliance prior to shipping the products to the U.S. The cost of such reviews are minimal in comparison to the cost of fighting to get your seized products released or exported due to a labeling violation.

If your business is unsure whether a product label is in compliance with, or need assistance in adapting your label to meet, FDA regulations Morsel Law can help. Order your flat-free label review to make sure your food label is in compliance.

FDA Approves Peanut Allergy Prevention Claims on Baby Food Labels

Posted on by Patrick Morin

It’s now recommended to introduce peanuts to young infants.

FDA has announced that companies will be able to label baby food products with advice about how the early introduction of peanuts in an infant’s diet may reduce the risk of developing a peanut allergy. This marks the first time the FDA has permitted a qualified health claim of food allergy prevention. These labels will be allowed on foods containing ground peanuts suitable for infant consumption, but not whole peanuts, which may be a choking hazard for young children.

The full story can be found here.

If you have questions about FDA labeling regulations, contact our attorneys at Morsel Law.

Your Organic Food May Not Be Organic

Posted on by Patrick Morin

The USDA’s Inspector General recently released its annual report on the National Organic Program (NOP). The report found widespread problems with the NOP that could result in “reduced U.S. consumer confidence in the integrity of organic products imported into the United States.” The report cites the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) failure to reconcile organic standards between different countries, verify documents at U.S. ports of entry and conduct mandatory audits of major exporters.

In visits to seven U.S. ports of entry, the IG found produce shipments of all kinds are fumigated at the border to prevent pests from entering the country. That practice, according to the IG, runs counter to the assurance U.S. consumers get from the NOP that “foreign agricultural products maintain their organic integrity from farm to table.” The IG recommends that the NOP come up with performance measures for timely audits and suggests adoption of a schedule to review each participating country every two years.

The failure of the AMS to do their job is inviting trouble. Food fraud is big business and will probably be even more so after this report is shared across the globe. If a farmer can sell his non-organic wheat as organic for twice the price, he might consider it, or he might not. But what about a wholesale broker run by a criminal enterprise looking for new sources of income, would they think twice about reclassifying products as organic to make more profit? Probably not.

Hopefully the IG report will lead to significant changes for the NOP, but in the meantime consumers should be vigilant about identifying the source of their organic foods. Maybe you’ll think twice about spending extra money on organic food that probably isn’t organic.

If you have questions about products labeling, contact our attorneys at Morsel Law.

Label Reviews Are Critical For Food Importers

Posted on by Patrick Morin

I previously posted a similar article discussing the importance of label reviews for domestic produced products here. But a recent event reminded me to reiterate the importance of accurate labeling, especially for food importers. Non-compliant labels can cost you time, money and even your relationship with customers.

A few weeks ago, JFC International Inc. issued a voluntary recall for rice seasoning products shipped to the United States. Apparently, the recall was initiated after the company discovered the product was not labeled in English, which is required under U.S. law. Also, because the label was not in English, it is deemed to have failed to disclose allergens contained in the ingredients. Important to point out is that this isn’t JFC International Inc.’s first time being involved with a recall event; they issued a similar recall in 2016 for failing to label in English and undeclared allergens.

This event is an important illustration of how important it is to review your labels prior to shipping your products to the United States. First, one of the most common misbranding mistakes for imports is failure to label in English. This seems like a simple fix, but you would be surprised how often this occurs. Importers should require the shipper to forward a copy of the label prior to shipping to confirm compliance with U.S. law. Now this won’t stop mistakes by workers at the warehouse who load the EU labeled products onto a pallet instead of the U.S. bound product, but if you include language in your contract that makes the shipper responsible for all costs to correct the misbranding in the event the wrong product labels are attached, they will quickly change their quality control practices. This is especially true for shippers who have had to foot the bill after a container is stopped by U.S. Customs.

Second, does a voluntary recall trigger coverage under your product recall insurance policy? Generally, coverage isn’t triggered unless there is an “actual” contamination, which is usually proved by product testing or other evidence. For JCF International, if the recall was initiated for misbranding due to failure to label their products in English, the coverage would be denied. However, because the product contained “actual” allergens, then coverage would probably be triggered. But if the product didn’t contain allergens, then coverage would be denied. Even if the product didn’t contain allergens the company would still need to recall the product because it is still considered misbranded and in violation of the FDC Act, but the recall would potentially result is significant non-reimbursable expenses.

Most food label misbranding violations can be prevented through quality control measures. Importers should, if they have not already, institute best practices to minimize the risk of a potential violation that result in having to respond to FDA Notice of Action letter. These practices should also address who bears the cost and burden to deal with a misbranding violation. Prior planning can help ensure your business identifies and minimizes potential risks commonly associated with the food import industry.

If you have questions about labeling, contact our attorneys at Morsel Law.

Deadline to List Calories on Restaurant Menus Quickly Approaching

Posted on by Patrick Morin

As of May 5, 2017, chain restaurants with 20 or more locations are required to provide nutrition labeling of “standard” menu items. Restaurant owners should, if they haven’t already, start preparing for the compliance deadline. In addition to restaurants, this requirement also applies to food facilities in entertainment venues, such as movie theaters and amusement parks, take-out food establishments, bakeries, convenience stores, grocery stores and supermarkets.

These menu labeling requirements were published on December 1, 2014 as a final rule by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), as required under the Affordable Care Act. If you are a small business owner these new rules will have a significant impact on your operations. What it means is that calorie counts will have to be displayed for popcorn at a theater, food from a salad bar, hot dogs from a convenience store and takeout pizza. In addition, vending-machine operators with at least 20 locations also will be required to post calorie counts.

Calorie information also will be required for some alcoholic beverages served in bars and restaurants. This would apply to beverages listed on menus and menu boards, however, this would not apply to mixed drinks ordered at the bar. Craft brewers should take notice. Even if the rules may not directly affect beer manufacturers, those that sell their brews to chain retailers may be forced to supply calorie counts or take their products elsewhere.

While the purpose behind these rules are to combat obesity in America, where over one-third of meals are consumed outside the home, the effect is to burden retailers with significant compliance costs. Retailers are now faced with the choice of passing this additional cost onto the consumer or eliminating certain products from their menus. While not an easy decision for businesses to make, non-compliance can lead to legal action by the FDA.

The rule’s requirements for determining caloric content and labeling menus are highly detailed and complicated. Therefore, if your small business needs assistance in complying with the rule, please contact us at Morsel Law.

President Signs Mandatory GMO Labeling Law: What You Need to Know

Posted on by Patrick Morin

Last week President Obama signed the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard into federal law. The law mandates disclosure of genetically modified organisms (“GMO”) on food labels. The law directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) to establish, within two years, a nationwide mandatory disclosure standard for bioengineered foods and the labeling procedures. This means that the law itself does not define the standard, but instead gives the USDA significant discretion to define and implement the required disclosure.

Below are some things manufacturers should know about the law:

  • Preemption of State Laws. The new law specifically preempts all state and local labeling requirements applicable to genetically engineered (“GE”) foods that do not mirror the language in the law. This would even apply to state laws already passed, including Vermont where mandatory GMO labeling went into effect in July.
  • Defining Bioengineered Food. The law defines bioengineered food as food that contains genetic material “that has been modified through in vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) techniques” and “for which the modification could not otherwise be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.” This definition could be interpreted as quite restrictive, so it will be important to watch the rule-making process to see how the law is interpreted.
  • Labeling Requirements. The law does not specify GMO labeling standards, this is left up to the USDA to determine. However, the law does state the methods to disclose GMOs in food, such as text on the packaging, a USDA-created symbol, or an electronic or digital link (such as a QR code) selected by the manufacturer. Small food manufacturers are provided the additional flexibility to disclose GMO ingredients either by listing a toll free number or link to website containing the disclosure on their labels. The purpose of the law was to disclose GMO ingredients on food labels so consumers searching grocery store aisles could make informed decisions, but law effectively fails to achieve its purpose because “disclosure” can be a link to somewhere else, not on the label itself.
  • You Aren’t What You Eat. Meat from animals that consume bioengineered food are exempt from disclosure. Specifically, the law prohibits the USDA from considering any food primarily derived from an animal because “the animal consumed feed produced from, containing, or consisting of a bioengineered substance.” So, for example, you go into a store to buy some beef for a family barbecue and, because of your concern about the safety of GE foods, you want to purchase a GMO free product. You’re aware that most cows slated for consumption are fed a diet containing mostly corn, a majority of which is bioengineered. The label doesn’t disclose GMO ingredients, so you think you’re safe. Think again. Even if the cow eats nothing else but bioengineered corn its entire life, the meat is not considered GE under the new law. Thus, Congress is betting that consumers will be uniformed about the provisions in the law and think their meat is non-GMO, even if its arguably not.

KIND Petitions FDA: Should Investors Lose Confidence in General Counsel?

Posted on by Patrick Morin

In a previous article I discussed how important it is for food businesses to conduct an in-depth label review prior to launching new products. Specifically, I addressed the FDA Warning Letter issued to KIND LLC and pointed out how costly labeling mistakes can be, especially when the risk could have easily been mitigated. In their response to FDA, KIND agreed to correct most of the technical errors noted in the letter; however, when it comes to changing their view of what foods are allowed to label themselves as “healthy” they don’t agree with what they refer to as “outdated” regulations.

In a citizen petition letter (“Petition Letter”) sent to FDA last week, KIND’s general counsel, Justin Mervis, notes that under current regulations “whether or not a food can be labeled “healthy” is based on specific nutrient levels in the food rather than its overall nutrition quality.” KIND then goes on to claim that new scientific evidence no longer supports this view and that, accordingly, FDA amend 21 C.F.R. 101.65(d)(2) in regards to nutritional content claims so that manufacturers may use the term “healthy” without regard to the total fat or saturated fat, if the source of such fat comes from fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains or seafood, provided that “such foods are used in their whole form or have been processed in such a way that did not materially degrade their nutritional value.”

While the Petition Letter makes several other recommendations, the majority of the Petition Letter is devoted to the argument that there is a disconnect between the Dietary Guidelines and what claims manufacturers are permitted to state on their labels. KIND argues that manufacturers should be permitted to make claims on their products labels (e.g., “nuts are part of a healthy diet”) that are consistent with federal dietary recommendations and current scientific evidence. As such, KIND goes on to request the FDA “undertake rulemaking to define a “dietary guidance statement” as a statement in food labeling about the usefulness of a food, or a category of foods, in maintaining healthy dietary practices.” The requested rule would permit claims on food labels to communicate that certain foods are useful in creating a diet that is consistent with current dietary recommendations, so long as those claims are not misleading.

While it isn’t a secret that food regulations, in some part, have become “outdated”, what makes KIND’s petition interesting is it comes after being caught violating the same regulations they are petitioning to amend. The real question is whether KIND knew their product labels were non-compliant when released into the marketplace or did they make a business decision to move forward with non-compliant labels in order to promote their “healthy” marketing campaign. While the saying “it’s better to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission” may apply in certain situations, it’s probably not the best strategy when it comes to breaking federal law.

The role of the general counsel is to advise executive leaders on the state of the law, how certain laws affect their business and to provide pertinent information and/or legal advice to such leaders so they have the ability to make informed decisions. The general counsel is not required to be an expert in the industry in which their client operates (although it certainly helps); however, they should know the limits of their expertise and, when appropriate, bring in outside assistance with such expertise. If they don’t know their limits, or can’t identify potential legal issues outside their expertise, then their departure should be swift. After all what good is legal counsel if leaders are not able to rely on their advice?

It isn’t clear whether KIND made the decision to market their products with non-compliant labels, but if they did the general counsel shouldn’t take the blame. However, it took KIND six months to file their Petition Letter which leads me to believe the labeling violations occurred not because of a strategic business decision, but due to the lack of regulatory expertise and oversight from the general counsel’s office. If my presumption is correct, investors should demand answers and push for changes in the executive suite. These violations have resulted in significant expense revising labels, advertising and websites, in addition to substantial legal fees incurred responding to the Warning Letter and submitting the Petition Letter, and most recently defending consumer lawsuits. While attorneys play a significant role in advising businesses, legal fees cannot be entirely avoided; however, they can be efficiently managed. It is up to KIND’s investors to decide whether their capital in this situation was well-spent.

FDA Issues Another Blow to Maker of Just Mayo

Posted on by Patrick Morin

Earlier this year, Hampton Creek Inc., the maker of Just Mayo, was sued by Unilever, the maker of Hellman’s mayonnaise, and accused of false advertising for calling its egg-less spread “mayo”. Even though experts thought the claims were strong, the case was eventually dropped due to the negative publicity Unilever received which painted it as a corporate bully. As mentioned in an earlier article, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Hampton Creek in Florida state court asserting similar claims, but this time by consumers who claim they were misled into thinking Just Mayo’s product was actually mayonnaise.

Well, unfortunately for Hampton Creek, the third time isn’t a charm. This time the feds are knocking on their door. On August 12th, FDA issued a warning letter to Hampton Creek citing various violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the “FDC Act”) by their Just Mayo and Just Mayo Sriracha products. The warning letter specifically notes that both products make “cholesterol free” nutrient content claims on their labels (and website), but don’t include a statement that discloses the level of total fat in a serving of the product in immediate proximity to the cholesterol claims, which is a violation of the applicable regulations. The letter also notes both products make unauthorized health claims on their labels (and website) by implying that the products can reduce the risk of heart disease due to the absence of cholesterol. Under federal regulations (see 21 C.F.R. 101.14(a)(4)), a food is disqualified from making health claims if the food contains more than 13 grams of total fat per 50 grams. Both Just Mayo and Just Mayo Sriracha contain 36 grams of fat per 50 grams.

But the biggest blow is one that will set up plaintiffs for successful consumer protection lawsuits. Just like the accusations made by Unilever and the Florida consumer in their complaints, the FDA notes that because neither the Just Mayo and Just Mayo Sriracha products contain eggs, they don’t meet the definition of “mayonnaise” under the regulations (see 21 C.F.R. 169.140(c)), and thus are misbranded under the FDC Act. While the FDA goes on to list several additional labeling violations in the warning letter, this could be the most detrimental to Hampton Creek’s core business.

Many recent lawsuits have relied on FDA warning letters as evidence to support a claim that a manufacturer violated state and/or federal law and, in many instances, the plaintiffs have been successful. Food manufacturers should ensure they thoroughly understand FDA regulations before labeling their products. This is not only to avoid a false advertising lawsuit, but also to avoid misbranding. It’s a prohibited act to distribute misbranded products and manufacturers can be subject to FDA enforcement and/or private party lawsuits.

Whether the lawsuits against Hampton Creek could have been avoided is difficult to determine. However, what I can say for certain is this warning letter is sure to bring additional lawsuits. So I hope for Hampton Creek’s sake they take the time to focus their attention internally and resolve the issues that could have easily been avoided by conducting a thorough regulatory review.

As mentioned above, food companies may minimize the chances of their products facing a legal challenge by consulting with an attorney familiar with FDA regulations. If you need assistance navigating or complying with the laws affecting your food or beverage businesses, please feel free to contact our attorneys at Morsel Law.

FDA Delays Menu Labeling Rule

Posted on by Patrick Morin

As mentioned in another article in December, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule on food labeling (the Rule), as required under the Affordable Care Act, which provides for nutrition labeling of “standard” menu items for chain restaurants with 20 or more locations and “similar retail food establishments.” Initially the Rule was to be implemented on December 1, 2015; however, since the Rule was issued numerous chain restaurants, grocery stores, and other covered establishments complained that they may not be able to comply within such time period.  Thus, on July 9, 2015 the FDA responded by announcing that it was extending the compliance date for the Rule to December 1, 2016.

This is welcome news to the food industry as many businesses have struggled to implement procedures to comply with the Rule. Food businesses will now be afforded additional time to train staff, design new menus, and develop new information systems to assist in efficiently complying with the Rule. The FDA also announced it intends to publish a guide to assist covered establishments in complying with the Rule which is expected to be issued in August 2015.

While the menu labeling rule implementation has been delayed for one more year, it’s important for businesses to start planning for the implementation. If your food or beverage business needs assistance with implementing or interpreting the menu labeling rule, please feel free to contact our attorneys at Morsel Law.

Update: Ag Committee Passes Bill to Repeal COOL

Posted on by Patrick Morin

The Agriculture Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives voted 38 to 6 to approve HR. 2393, a bill that would repeal Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for beef, pork and chicken products, while leaving intact the requirements for all other covered commodities, such as seafood and shellfish. This move comes just two days after the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled against parts of the COOL law, a requirement that labels tell consumers what countries the meat is from: for example, “born in Canada, raised and slaughtered in the United States” or “born, raised and slaughtered in the United States.”

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, R-Texas, a long-time supporter of the meat industry, stated “[w]e cannot sit back and let American businesses be held hostage to the desires of a small minority who refuse to acknowledge that the battle is lost.” But other congressmen don’t believe swift and immediate action is the way to react. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minnesota, ranking member on the Agriculture Committee, stated “I’m disappointed that the WTO ruled against the United States, but I think repealing COOL is premature…there are still several steps that have to occur before [retaliation from Canada and Mexico] would take place.”

What is interesting is how quickly Congress reacted to the WTO ruling, an international trade body with no input from American citizens. As mentioned in an earlier article, consumers are demanding increased transparency in the food supply, especially when it comes to knowing where their meat comes from. Moreover, more than 60 other countries have mandatory labeling requirements, including the European Union which requires indication of the country of birth, fattening and slaughter. Although the U.S. and EU laws are different, it is possible for Congress to review similar meat labeling laws and determine whether their is a suitable alternative to repealing the law outright. This may take some time, but it is better to get it right than to do it quick.

Congress is supposed to represent the people, not special interest groups; however, in passing this bill through committee it sends the message that their campaign donors are more important than voters. Time will only tell whether this bill goes anywhere, but I hope voters take notice and remember in November.