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http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm347194.htm
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FDA issued a public notice of a citizen petition filed by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), claiming to represent more than 85% milk produced and marketed in the U.S. The conventional dairy industry leaders are requesting that FDA amend the “standard of identity” for milk and 17 other dairy products.
Although the ingredient label for the specific products would list the non-nutritive sweetener (e.g., aspartame), the front label identifying the product would omit language indicating the product is “reduced in calories” or “artificially sweetened.”
FDA is requesting public comments, data and information “concerning the need for, and the appropriateness of, amending the standard of identity” on six specific questions.
The deadline for submissions is May 21, 2013.
How an artificial sweetener can be hidden
Scenario: If the “standard of identity” for milk and the 17 other dairy products is changed and non-nutritive sweeteners (e.g., aspartame) are included, what will be the result when these products become ingredients in other foods and beverages?
The ingredient label will simply read as “milk” (or whatever dairy item) without any mention of the sweetener; thus, the consumer will not know that a non-nutritive sweetener (like Aspartame) is being ingested. Read about the detrimental effects of chemicals like Aspartame; see Dr. Mercola’s post, Aspartame: By Far the Most Dangerous Substance Added to Most Foods Today
See the FDA download that attempts to explain the implications for labeling yet fail to address labeling for 2nd generation products, “FDA Wants Your Opinion on Dairy-Product Labels“.
FDA REQUEST FOR COMMENT
Below are the specific questions from the FDA’s proposed rule “Request for Comments” section.
Please submit comments by May 21, 2013 at regulations.gov for Docket ID: FDA-2009-P-0147-0012.
FDA requests that interested persons submit comments, data, and information concerning the need for, and the appropriateness of, amending the standard of identity for milk and the additional dairy standards. FDA specifically requests comment and supporting data, as appropriate, on the following matters:
1. The petition states that amending the standard of identity for milk (§ 131.100) to allow the use of “any safe and suitable” sweetener in optional characterizing flavoring ingredients would promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers by creating consistency in the naming of flavored milk products because flavored milk could contain a non-nutritive sweetener without bearing a nutrient content claim (e.g., “reduced sugar”) as part of its name. Would the proposed amendments promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers?
2. If the standard of identity for milk is amended as requested by petitioners, milk manufacturers could use non-nutritive sweeteners in flavored milk without a nutrient content claim in its labeling. Will the inclusion of the non-nutritive sweeteners in the ingredient statement provide consumers with sufficient information to ensure that consumers are not misled regarding the characteristics of the milk they are purchasing?
3. The petition states that flavored milk labels that bear nutrient content claims such as “reduced calorie” are unattractive to children. What, if any, data are available on children’s purchase habits with regard to flavored milks labeled as “reduced calorie flavored milk,” “no sugar added,” “less sugar,” etc?
4. The petition states that if FDA dedicates resources to amending the standard of identity for milk, for purposes of administrative efficiency the Agency should also amend the Additional Dairy Standards because the issues presented are the same with respect to the use of non-nutritive sweeteners. Would amending the Additional Dairy Standards as requested promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers?
If the labels of these products do not bear nutrient content claims, would the inclusion of non-nutritive sweeteners in the ingredient statements provide consumers with sufficient information to distinguish between the two types of products (i.e., sweetened with nutritive versus non-nutritive sweeteners) so that consumers are not misled? [3]
5. The petition notes that ice cream is permitted to contain either a nutritive or non-nutritive sweetener without the label bearing a nutrient content claim or otherwise distinguishing the two types of products from one another. Are the considerations underlying FDA amendments to the standard of identity for ice cream [4] applicable to the requested amendments to the standard of identity for milk or the Additional Dairy Standards?
6. If the standard of identity for milk and the Additional Dairy Standards are amended in the manner requested by the petition, what will be the effect on search costs [5] for consumers who would like to determine whether a product contains a nutritive or non-nutritive sweetener?
In addition to fluid milk, the IDFA-NMPF citizens petition seeks to alter the ‘standard of identity’ for these 17 other dairy products to allow the addition of non-nutritive sweeteners like Aspartame:
At first glance, you won’t be able to tell the difference between this milk and milk with artificial sweetener substitute. |
Acidified milk
Cultured milk
Sweetened condensed milk
Nonfat dry milk
Nonfat dry milk fortified with vitamins A and D
Evaporated milk
Dry cream
Heavy cream
Light cream
Light whipping cream
Sour cream
Acidified sour cream
Eggnog
Half-and-half
Yogurt
Lowfat yogurt
Nonfat yogurt
Listen to podcast at HartkeIsOnline.com, “Got Disgust? Aspartame in Dairy Products with No Warning Label”
RELATED DOCUMENTS
Citizen Petition submitted by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), 16 March 2009
FDA proposed rule, “Flavored Milk; Petition to Amend the Standard of Identity for Milk and 17 Additional Dairy Products“, Federal Register 20 February 2013
FDA Consumer Health Information, “FDA Wants Your Opinion on Dairy-Product Labels,” April 2013
RELATED ARTICLES & MEDIA
HartkeIsOnline.com, “Got Disgust? Aspartame in Dairy Products with No Warning Label”, 10 April 2013
HealthImpactNews.com, Big Dairy Wants to Put Aspartame in Milk with No Labeling, 29 March 2013 includes video “The Dangers of Aspartame (Diet Coke Zero Side Effects Poisoning Pepsi Max Nutrasweet Sucralose)”
Weston A. Price Foundation press release, “CORRECTED –Nutrition Non-profit Leads Protest of Dairy Adulteration Proposal“, 15 March 2013
Know Your Food Podcast (KYF#25), “They Want to Hide Toxic Sweeteners in Your Child’s School Milk”, 14 March 2013
HartkeIsOnline.com, Dairy Industry Claims “Low Calorie” Milks Are Not “Attractive” to Children, 14 March 2013
Mercola.com, “Big Dairy Petitions FDA to Allow Unlabeled Use of Aspartame in Dairy Products“, 13 March 2013