February 20, 2020

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reopening the comment period on a 2005 proposed rule to establish a set of general principles for the agency to use when considering whether to establish, revise or eliminate a food standard of identity. The original proposed rule was jointly published with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

The FDA is reopening the comment period to receive new data, information, or further comments only on the FDA-specific aspects of the 2005 proposed rule, including 13 general principles for food standards modernization. The agency will continue to engage with the USDA regarding standards of identity modernization principles and any potential future actions regarding finalizing the proposed rule.    

Food standards of identity are requirements related to the content and production of certain food products such as bread, jam, juices and chocolate.  With the development of new types of food products and the most recent nutritional science, the FDA is taking a fresh look at existing standards of identity as part of its Nutrition Innovation Strategy, which is designed to empower consumers by providing information to make healthy food choices and encourage industry innovation toward the production of healthier foods. The goals of food standards modernization are to protect consumers against economic adulteration; maintain the basic nature, essential characteristics and nutritional integrity of food; and promote industry innovation by giving manufacturers the flexibility to produce healthier foods.

The goals of food standards modernization are to:

• Protect consumers against economic adulteration;
• Maintain the basic nature, essential characteristics and nutritional integrity of food; and
• Promote industry innovation by giving manufacturers the flexibility to produce healthier foods.

At the public meeting on the Nutrition Innovation Strategy, held in July 2018, and in comments submitted to the public meeting docket, stakeholders expressed general support for the FDA and the USDA continuing their work to finalize the proposed rule.  However, due to changes that have occurred in manufacturing, food technology, market trends and nutrition science, stakeholders also indicated that the FDA should solicit new information and data to inform this effort.

Submit electronic comments on https://www.regulations.gov/ to docket folder FDA-1995-N-0062. 

Written comments should be submitted to:

Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

Comments will be accepted for 60 days following the date of publication in the Federal Register.

For more information:

• Federal Register Notice announcing the reopening of the comment period in February 2020
• Food Labeling & Nutrition