WASHINGTON— The National Consumers League (NCL) sent a letter to FDA urging renewal of its efforts to prevent consumers from being misled by deceptive labeling of processed fruit and vegetable products.
Nineteen years ago, NCL persuaded the FDA to take a firm stand on prohibiting the use of the term “fresh” on any fruit or vegetable product that is reconstituted or remanufactured from concentrate. FDA issued policy guidance designed to prevent labeling misrepresentation.
However, “The FDA guidance is unlawfully being ignored in the marketplace as evidenced by a proliferation of misleading claims by clever marketers,” according to Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of NCL. “Consumers are paying ‘fresh’ and ‘vine ripened’ prices for ‘from concentrate’ products.”
In the letter, NCL asks FDA to issue a new guidance to industry setting forth the FDA’s enforcement policy regarding appropriate use of labeling claims.
Click here to read the NCL letter.
