The Food and Drug Administration has extended the comment period for a proposal that would address the use of the term “natural” on food labels.
The agency is now taking comments until May 10th of 2016, citing the “complexity” of the issue, according to Meatingplace.
FDA said when it proposed the rule in November that it is asking for comment on whether it is appropriate to define the term “natural,” if the agency should define the term, and how the agency should determine appropriate use of the term on food labels.
Some federal courts also have requested administrative determinations from FDA, due to litigation between private parties; on whether food products containing ingredients produced using genetic engineering or foods containing high fructose corn syrup may be labeled as natural.
