A cursory glance at grocery store shelves confirms: meeting consumer expectations for “clean” food labeling is here to stay. Whether a consumer’s interpretation of clean is simply no artificial ingredients or colors, or expands beyond that into an avoidance of pesticide or antibiotic residues, people are more mindful of the origin and manufacturing quality of their foods like never before.
Manufacturers, in turn, are formulating and labeling products to meet consumer demands and provide greater transparency as to what a product contains and how it is processed, but at what risk? Inadvertent and inaccurate labels or exaggerated claims could be challenged by both FDA and consumer action groups. Understanding FDA’s regulatory definitions, and how to work within their boundaries is paramount in today’s environment.