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#1
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Is "low-Carb" labeling illegal?
A recent article in The Arizona Republic stated that labeling anything
"low-carb" was not legal. They cited a few terms such as low fat,lite and such as being permissable. I think their authority was the FDA. Does anyone know if this is true? George Arizona |
#2
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Is "low-Carb" labeling illegal?
There are no standards for *low carb*, *reduced carbs* *lower in carbs* as
of yet so companies can do as they please. I am sure it will not be long before the FDA decides it needs a standard for the carb terms, just as they have had to set them for *organic*, *low fat* etc over the years. Teeb "George Parton" wrote in message ... A recent article in The Arizona Republic stated that labeling anything "low-carb" was not legal. They cited a few terms such as low fat,lite and such as being permissable. I think their authority was the FDA. Does anyone know if this is true? George Arizona |
#3
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Is "low-Carb" labeling illegal?
The problem too is that "low carb" isn't specific enough. There are a lot
of different diet plans out there, lots of different foods, so what's low carb to one person may not be to another. For example, a family member had to keep carbs to 50 per meal during late pregnancy due to gestational diabetes. So maybe a slice or 2 of that ~20 carb/slice "low carb" Papa Murphy's pizza is no big deal on that plan, but not for Atkins. I found this article which is pretty interesting: I suspect there's no regulation yet (IE it would be legal to say "low carb") -- maybe it will be coming soon... http://www.fda.gov/fdac/special/foodlabel/lite.html I'll say though, after working closely with marketers, I don't trust a single word on the box. Looking at the nutritional info, and then the ingredients, is the best bet! Brian "George Parton" wrote in message ... A recent article in The Arizona Republic stated that labeling anything "low-carb" was not legal. They cited a few terms such as low fat,lite and such as being permissable. I think their authority was the FDA. Does anyone know if this is true? George Arizona |
#4
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Is "low-Carb" labeling illegal?
Thanks Brian, that is an interesting read.
GP Brian wrote: The problem too is that "low carb" isn't specific enough. There are a lot of different diet plans out there, lots of different foods, so what's low carb to one person may not be to another. For example, a family member had to keep carbs to 50 per meal during late pregnancy due to gestational diabetes. So maybe a slice or 2 of that ~20 carb/slice "low carb" Papa Murphy's pizza is no big deal on that plan, but not for Atkins. I found this article which is pretty interesting: I suspect there's no regulation yet (IE it would be legal to say "low carb") -- maybe it will be coming soon... http://www.fda.gov/fdac/special/foodlabel/lite.html I'll say though, after working closely with marketers, I don't trust a single word on the box. Looking at the nutritional info, and then the ingredients, is the best bet! Brian "George Parton" wrote in message ... A recent article in The Arizona Republic stated that labeling anything "low-carb" was not legal. They cited a few terms such as low fat,lite and such as being permissable. I think their authority was the FDA. Does anyone know if this is true? George Arizona |
#5
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Is "low-Carb" labeling illegal?
"George Parton" wrote in message
A recent article in The Arizona Republic stated that labeling anything "low-carb" was not legal. They cited a few terms such as low fat,lite and such as being permissable. I think their authority was the FDA. Does anyone know if this is true? George Arizona I don't think it's illegal but the FDA is cracking down on companies who are mislabeling foods. For example, the manufacturers of "low carb" bars used to omit sugar alcohols and glycerin on the nutrition lables altogether. They must now be included in the total carb count. They can claim elsewhere on the label that the net carbs are less but the carbs must be included on the nutrition label. There is growing pressure for the FDA to define what low carb means but for now it's buyer beware. What manufacturers claim is low carb may very well not be. |
#6
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Is "low-Carb" labeling illegal?
The FDA is working on standards for labeling food LC and they are
expected to be issued shortly. |
#7
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Is "low-Carb" labeling illegal?
"Jeri" wrote in message
... "George Parton" wrote in message A recent article in The Arizona Republic stated that labeling anything "low-carb" was not legal. They cited a few terms such as low fat,lite and such as being permissable. I think their authority was the FDA. Does anyone know if this is true? George Arizona I don't think it's illegal but the FDA is cracking down on companies who are mislabeling foods. For example, the manufacturers of "low carb" bars used to omit sugar alcohols and glycerin on the nutrition lables altogether. They must now be included in the total carb count. They can claim elsewhere on the label that the net carbs are less but the carbs must be included on the nutrition label. There is growing pressure for the FDA to define what low carb means but for now it's buyer beware. What manufacturers claim is low carb may very well not be. Even then there is the problem with using teeny-tiny portion amounts to make the product seem low carb. Unfortunetely those people who did not read the book and simply buy this junk based on the advertisers label will suffer. I personally am smart enough to read the back label & figure out that the manufacturers idea of a portion will not even fill a thimble and try to avoid the junk & stick with naturally low carb foods. I started in Jan and went from 230 to 210 lbs as of today. My wife makes things hard though because she likes to go out and buy so called low carb candy bars and ice cream etc. |
#8
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Is "low-Carb" labeling illegal?
"Brian" wrote in
: I found this article which is pretty interesting: I suspect there's no regulation yet (IE it would be legal to say "low carb") -- maybe it will be coming soon... http://www.fda.gov/fdac/special/foodlabel/lite.html I'll say though, after working closely with marketers, I don't trust a single word on the box. Looking at the nutritional info, and then the ingredients, is the best bet! Brian Good article. But your key statement is "I don't trust a single word on the box". The article mentions the FDA's "rules", and what's "prohibited", etc., but it's all a big joke. COMPLIANCE IS VOLUNTARY. There is NO ENFORCEMENT of the rules. The FDA does NOT test products to see if the labels are correct. Even when the manufacturers are caught in a lie, they're likely to get no more than a hand slap and a miniscule fine: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/press/2001/09042001.html -- A. Brown remove the junk to email |
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