If you wish to scrutinize the FDA regulations themselves, here they are:
Having a law degree would probably be helpful :-) A less confusing statement of FDA rules can be found at the following: Guidance for Industry: A Food Labeling GuideThe problem with the information given by the FDA here is there is a little statement under the title that reads "Contains Nonbinding Recommendations". Worse yet, it isn't clear what 'recommendations' actually are nonbinding and which are mandatory. So, if you REALLY want to understand food labeling you need to refer to the document at the first link above and then check every federal regulation referenced therein. The problem is the each one of those regulations runs several thousand words and references yet other regulations. This is how lawyers make a living I think. So what is an ordinary consumer to do? Despair not. Despite all of the jargon and loopholes, some types of label claims actually DO mean something and we'll examine those now. |