Food Labeling Legislation Research Articles

Labeling of ready-to-eat minimally processed vegetables sold in Brazil

Introduction: Ready-to-eat minimally processed vegetables (RTE-MPV) are vegetables subjected to several steps that modify their natural structure, while maintaining the same freshness and nutritional quality as the fresh produce. Since these products are sold in packages, they must be labeled, even though nutritional labeling is optional. Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the labeling aspects of several brands of RTE-MPV sold in Brazil, determining whether manufacturers adhered to the different types of food labeling legislation. Method: Photographic records of RTE-MPV packages were obtained in different regions of Brazil between October 2020 and August 2021, and labels were analyzed using a checklist that was prepared according to the different types of Brazilian food labeling legislation in force at the time of the study: RDC nº 259/2002, RDC nº 359/2003, RDC nº 360/2003 and Law nº 10,674/2003. Results: The labels of 288 RTE-MPV packages, belonging to 39 brands, were analyzed. Among these, 31 brands showed at least one aspect that was not in accordance with the legislation, such as the lack of information about place of origin, and the presence or absence of gluten. Although optional, most brands (38) adopted nutritional labeling, but the information was incomplete in ten of them. Conclusion: These data indicate that there are flaws in the labeling of RTE-MPV in Brazil, emphasizing the need for manufacturers to comply with the legislation. Moreover, the optional adoption of nutritional labeling by most brands is significantly important for consumers to have additional information about what they consume.

Accidental Reactions to Foods: Frequency, Causes, and Severity.

Purpose of ReviewIn this review, we present the epidemiology of food allergy and allergic reactions to foods using studies that have been published over the past decade. We review these allergic reactions — how they differ by food trigger, geographic region, demographic distribution, setting, and severity.Recent FindingsThe rising prevalence of food allergy and persistent accidental allergic reactions to foods in various settings remains a worldwide concern. Differences in global prevalence, food triggers for reactions, and severity of accidental reactions may be explained by diversity in diets and food labeling legislation. A number of studies are highlighted that describe the unique challenges and risk factors that contribute to accidental reactions in restaurants and schools, as well as the efforts that have been made to improve safety and outcomes in these settings.SummaryFood allergy prevalence has demonstrated significant variations between regions and age groups. Despite best efforts by individuals, physicians, and legislative bodies to improve safety for food allergic individuals, accidental reactions to foods still occur and can result in fatalities.

GMO food labeling bill stalls in the Senate

Legislation that would block states from requiring labels on genetically modified (GMO) foods faltered in the Senate last week. The measure, which was offered as an amendment to an unrelated bill (S. 764), would prohibit states from requiring labels on GMO foods and establish a federal voluntary labeling standard. In a 48-49 vote, the bill failed to garner enough support for the Senate to move it forward. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) left open the possibility of holding a vote on the GMO food labeling legislation at a later date. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), who introduced the legislation, and supporters of his proposal, including the food industry, are anxious to get the measure enacted before a law requiring labels on GMO foods goes into effect in Vermont on July 1. Other states are also planning similar laws. The food industry claims that a patchwork of state labeling laws will

Development and Validation of a Lateral Flow Immunoassay Test Kit for Dual Detection of Casein and β-Lactoglobulin Residues

Allergies to cow's milk are very common and can present as life-threatening anaphylaxis. Consequently, food labeling legislation mandates that foods containing milk residues, including casein and/or β-lactoglobulin, provide an indication of such on the product label. Because contamination with either component independent of the other can occur during food manufacturing, effective allergen management measures for containment of milk residues necessitates the use of dual screening methods. To assist the food industry in improving food safety practices, we have developed a rapid lateral flow immunoassay test kit that reliably reports both residues down to 0.01 μg per swab and 0.1 ppm of protein for foods. The assay utilizes both sandwich and competitive format test lines and is specific for bovine milk residues. Selectivity testing using a panel of matrices with potentially interfering substances, including commonly used sanitizing agents, indicated reduction in the limit of detection by one-to fourfold. With food, residues were easily detected in all cow's milk-based foods tested, but goat and sheep milk residues were not detected. Specificity analysis revealed no cross-reactivity with common commodities, with the exception of kidney beans when present at high concentrations (> 1%). The development of a highly sensitive and rapid test method capable of detecting trace amounts of casein and/or β-lactoglobulin should aid food manufacturers and regulatory agencies in monitoring for milk allergens in environmental and food samples.

Reference serving sizes for the Brazilian population: An analysis of processed food labels

OBJECTIVE: To compare serving sizes reported on processed food labels with reference serving sizes according to nutrition labeling legislation and the "Food Guide for the Brazilian Population". METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed the labels of 2,072 processed foods in a supermarket of Florianópolis, Santa Caratina, Brazil. The foods were classified according to the Brazilian food labeling legislation. Central tendency and variability values were calculated for the serving sizes and energy values reported on the labels, as well as the ratio between the reported and reference energy value. The Spearman correlation test was performed between the reference serving size and the reference energy density, and also between the reference serving size and energy density of each study food. RESULTS: Nutrition labeling and the Food Guide presented reference servings with different sizes and energy values. The serving sizes reported on the labels did not follow either of the references and presented heterogeneous values, with a maximum range of 55-240 g among ready and semi-ready pre-prepared dishes. The reported energy values were between 0.1 times smaller and 2.4 times larger than the reference values. The reference serving sizes presented a highly inverse correlation with the reference energy density (Spearman coefficient= 0.9) and a very low inverse correlation with the energy density of the foods analyzed (Spearman coefficient= 0.2). CONCLUSION: This study showed the need for standardizing reference serving size information for the Brazilian population as well as reviewing nutrition labeling legislation in order to standardize the serving sizes reported on labels and to update the reference energy density used to calculate serving sizes.

Labeling of genetically modified food: Closer to reality in the United States?

Within the broader context of several related biotech developments, including the proliferation of GM food in American grocery stories, the recent decision by Whole Foods Market, Inc. to require the labeling of all genetically modified (GM) organism products sold in its stores by 2018, and the development of GM animals for consumption, this essay asks whether the United States is inching towards a policy of mandatory GM food labeling. The analysis highlights aspects of the biotechnology policy debate in the United States and European Union, and traces public opinion as well as grassroots and legislative efforts aimed at GM food labeling. Findings show that activities at the federal level do not suggest any major regulatory changes regarding labeling in the near future; however, a growing number of individual states are considering GM food labeling legislation and political momentum in favor of labeling has picked up in recent years. Voluntary labeling by food companies may also become increasingly common.

Persistence of Health Labeling Information Asymmetry in the United States

Food labeling in the United States has been a topic of public debate and conflict for almost two centuries. Legislative activity has involved consumer–industry–government battles over both mandated requirements for food labeling, industry’s freedom of speech in messaging, and consumers’ struggle to make informed choices in a complex food environment. Information asymmetries have been attributed to the failure of government in terms of enough legislation, industry’s noncompliance with existing regulations, lack of consumer attention to the information available, and industry marketing practices. This overview of food labeling legislation combined with a discussion of contemporary labeling issues makes the case that information asymmetry is likely to persist. The food environment is changing quickly, regulatory authorities are not nimble, regulators often clash with themselves and industry, business has been unable to look far beyond its bottom line, and consumers are unwilling or unable to comprehend and use label information to make choices that maintain and/or improve their health.

Analytical Methods for Detection of Gluten in Food—Method Developments in Support of Food Labeling Legislation

The current essential therapy of celiac disease is a strict adherence to a gluten-free diet. Besides food products that are naturally gluten-free, "very low gluten" and "gluten-free" bakery products have become available. The availability of immunochemical and other analytical methods to determine gluten markers in foods is of utmost importance to ensure the well being of gluten-sensitive individuals. The aim of this review was to evaluate if currently available methodologies are suitable to meet the requirements of food labeling standards for individual gluten source declaration, in order to achieve policy objectives. Codex Alimentarius and European Union (EU) legislation and gluten detection methodologies applicable at present have been summarized and compared. In 2009, the European Commission issued Regulation No. 41/2009 concerning the composition and labeling of foodstuffs suitable for people intolerant to gluten. This review constitutes a basis to investigate the possibility to develop a proteomic-based method for the specific detection of gluten-containing cereals in food products, especially at or around the limits specified in EU legislation.

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics methods for analysis of food allergens

We review the features and the potential of advanced mass spectrometry (MS) in proteomic research together with applications in detecting and identifying for food allergens. Reliable, sensitive methods tracing ingredients of or relevant specific biomarkers for allergenic food are required to comply with food-labeling legislation. Food allergens are identified by proteolytic digestion upon isolating proteins (bottom-up approach) or directly analyzing intact proteins and their fragmentation products (top-down approach). Advanced separation methods are needed for a higher degree of resolution in order to separate complex mixtures of peptides. Food allergens can be characterized and identified by fingerprinting peptide masses or peptide fragments combined with computer search of databases. We also discuss development of mass analyzers, hybrid multi-stage instruments (e.g., Q-TOF, TOF 2 and LTQ-FT-ICR), featuring other types of tandem MS (MS 2) experiments.

Quantitative detection of goats’ milk in sheep’s milk by real-time PCR

The need to support food-labeling legislation has provided a driving force for development of analytical techniques for the analysis of food ingredients. In this study, the development of a method for quantification of goats’ milk in sheep’s milk mixtures is described. The technique involves the use of a real time PCR technique, based on the amplification of a fragment of the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA). The method combines the use of goat-specific primers that amplify a 171 bp fragment from goat DNA, and mammalian-specific primers amplifying a 119 bp fragment from mammalian species DNA, which are used as endogenous control. An internal fluorogenic probe (TaqMan) that hybridizes in the “goat-specific” and also in the “mammalian” DNA fragments is used to monitor the amplification of the target gene. A comparison of the cycle number ( C t) at which mammalian and goat-specific PCR products are first detected, in combination with the use of reference standards of known caprine content, allows the determination of the percentage of goats’ milk in a milk mixture. The assay was used to analyze raw and heat-treated milk binary mixtures (goat/sheep), enabling the quantification of goats’ milk in the range 0.6–10%. The reported PCR assay may represent a rapid and straightforward tool applicable to the authentication of milk and other dairy products.

Trace Element Determinations in Foods and Biological Samples Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Elemental food composition data are important to both consumers and health professionals, and recent food labeling legislation has highlighted this need. Rugged, accurate, and precise analytical me...

Media Advocacy: A Case Study of Philip Sokolof's Cholesterol Awareness Campaigns

Elevated blood cholesterol has been identified as a major causal factor underlying heart disease. Through effective use of the mass media, Philip Sokolof was instrumental in increasing cholesterol awareness, forcing major changes in the food industry, and facilitating the passage of tough, new food labeling legislation. Drawing on a variety of published sources and a personal interview with Mr. Sokolof, this article describes his efforts to use the mass media to promote change in the public health domain.

ADA testifies in support of food labeling legislation

ADA testifies in support of food labeling legislation