FOOD LABELING WORKSHOP

This workshop was held summer 2010 at the Food Science Building at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. .

 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Regulatory Affairs, Southwest Regional Small Business Representative (SWR,SBR) Program, in collaboration with The University of Arkansas is announcing a public workshop entitled "UA/FDA Food Labeling Workshop." This public workshop is intended to provide information about FDA food labeling regulations and other related subjects to the regulated industry, particularly small businesses and startups. This public workshop is being held in response to the large volume of food labeling inquiries from small food manufacturers and startups originating from the area covered by the FDA Dallas District Office.

The goal of this public workshop is to present information that will enable manufacturers and regulated industry to better comply with labeling requirements, especially in light of growing concerns about obesity, trans fat, and food allergens. Information presented will be based on agency position as articulated through regulation, compliance policy guides, and information previously made available to the public.

Topics to be discussed at the workshop include;
(1)Mandatory label elements
(2) Nutrition labeling requirements
(3) Health and nutrition claims
(4) Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004
(5) Special labeling issues such as exemptions.

FDA expects that participation in this public workshop will provide regulated industry with greater understanding of the regulatory and policy perspectives on food labeling and increase voluntary compliance.

Date and Time: This public workshop will be held on summer 2010 over 2 days from 8a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first day and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.on the second day.

Location: The public workshop will be held at the Food Science Building at the Univsity oof Arkansas. Air travel should be arranged via Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.

Contact: Steven C. Seideman, Institute of Food Science & Engineering, University of Arkansas, 2650 North Young Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704, 479-575-4221, FAX: 479-575-2165, or e-mail: seideman@uark.edu.

Accommodations; There are many fine hotels in the area but the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Fayetteville (479/442-5555) is immediately adjacent to the Continuing Education Center.

Registration: You are encouraged to register by May 15, 2010. The University of Arkansas has a $400 registration fee to cover the cost of facilities, materials, speakers, and breaks. Seats are limited; please submit your registration as soon as possible. Course space will be filled in order of receipt of registration. Those accepted into the course will receive confirmation. Registration will close after the course is filled. Registration at the site is not guaranteed but may be possible on a space available basis on the day of the public workshop beginning at 8 a.m. The cost of registration at the site is $550 payable to: "The University of Arkansas." If you need special accommodations due to a disability, please contact Steven C. Seideman (see Contact above) at least 7 days in advance. You can register by either filling out the online registration form or the mail-in registration form. If you use the online registration form, please bring a check or money order to the workshop. If you use the mail-in form, please complete the form and submit along with a check or money order for $250 payable to the "The University of Arkansas." Mail to: Institute of Food Science & Engineering, University of Arkansas, 2650 North Young Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704.

Draft Agenda (Subject to Change):

Day 1
8:00 – 8:30 AM      Registration
8:30 – 8:45          Introduction, Steve Seideman,
8:45 – 9:45          Mandatory Label Elements, Steve Seideman,

• Statement of Identity
• Statement of Net Contents
• Statement of Ingredients
• Name and Place of Business of the manufacturer, packager, or distributor

9:45 – 10:45              Food Allergen Labeling, David Arvelo, FDA

• Gluten-Free labeling

10:45 – 11:00            BREAK
11:00 – 12:00 PM     Nutrition Labeling, Patricia Behlen-Dexter,

• Nutrition Facts Panel

12:00 – 1:00              LUNCH (on your own)
1:00 – 2:30                Claims on Labels, David Arvelo,

• Nutrient content claims
• Health claims

2:30 – 5:00                Label design exercise
Day 2
8:00 – 9:30 AM         Exercise group presentations for labeling exercise
9:30 – 10:15              Laws, Regulations, and Guidance Documents, David Arvelo, FDA Small Business Representative
10:15 – 10:30            BREAK
10:30 – 11:30            Special Labeling Issues, David Arvelo,

• Labeling for refrigerated foods
• Use of “fresh”
• Use of “natural”
• Use of “organic”
• Novel food ingredients
• Bio-engineered foods label guidance
• Current topics on food labeling

11:30 – 12:30            LUNCH (on your own)
12:30 – 1:30 PM       Labeling of Special Cases, David Arvelo,

• Labeling elements exemption
• For small businesses
• For bulk foods
• Through written agreements
• Through temporary marketing permits
• Using hang tags
• Using sticker labels
• Egg labeling
• Juice labeling

1:30 – 2:00                Additional Workshops and Assistance,
2:00 – 3:00                Information Resources, David Arvelo,
3:00 – 3:30                Evaluations and adjourn