The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that Jan. 1, 2018 will be the uniform compliance date for food labeling regulations that are issued in calendar years 2015 and 2016.
The FDA periodically issues regulations requiring changes in the labeling of food and coordinates the effective dates of these labeling changes to reduce the economic impact to the food industry of having to respond separately to each change. With a uniform compliance date, industry can plan for the use of existing label inventories and the development of new labeling materials.
For more information, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/12/10/2014-28829/uniform-compliance-date-for-food-labeling-regulations
Editors Insight: The Jan. 1, 2018 compliance date is for regulations issued in 2015 and 2016. The FDA previously established a Jan. 1, 2016 compliance date for regulations issued in 2013.
As previously reported, the restaurant industry has welcomed the labeling requirements while the food retail industry has not.
The restaurant industry realized uniform labeling regulations would make labeling more manageable than the patchwork of state and local regulations.
The food retailers did not welcome the rules, which is understandable. Unlike restaurants, retail establishments carry thousands of items.
Nobody wants to have to meet additional regulations, but neither the government nor industry can ignore the need for nutrition disclosure, given rising obesity rates and the cost this problem will bring to bear on public health, including the health of future employees.
Menu labeling software allows food companies to comply with government regulations, along with printing labels for other functions, such as shipping, receiving and inventory management. By Elliot Maras, 12-9-2014
