With rising concerns over artificial ingredients, “genetically modified organisms,” or GMOs, and trans fats, the debate surrounding food labeling can be contentious. Additionally, Harvard Medical School reports there is scientific research that some food ingredients can cause a change in brain chemistry. Here is a list of food labeling resources so you have the latest information on what food companies HAVE to share:
Food Labeling Laws
The Food and Drug Administration: The FDA is currently amending food-labeling guidelines.
Vermont’s First-in-the-Nation State GMO Labeling Law
States Fighting GMOs: A state-by-state rundown of GMO labeling bills.
FDA Food Labeling Requirements eBook: A simplification of FDA food-labeling guidelines.
USDA Food Labeling: National Agricultural Library
Moving Food Labeling Towards National Uniformity: Comparison and Analysis of Federal and State Food Labeling Requirements.
Food Labeling Issues
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Proposed updates to the “Nutrition Facts Label.”
About GMO Food Labeling: USDA publishes controversial food labeling analysis
16 Most Misleading Food Labels: Nearly 60 percent of consumers have difficulty understanding food labels.
Food Labeling Act
The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990: Authorizes FDA to require nutrition labeling for foods.
H.R.3562 – Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990: Applies voluntary guidelines to the 20 most frequently consumed vegetables, fruit and fish.
H.R.1599 – Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015: Seeks to amend the Plant Protection Act.
H.R.5298 – Food Date Labeling Act of 2016: Requirements for quality and safety dates in food labeling.
Food Labeling Definition
FDA: How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label.
WebMD Nutrition Facts: a glossary of food labeling definitions.
Live Science Magazine: Food Labels and Definitions of Natural and Organic Foods
Cleveland Museum of Natural History: What do food labels really mean?
Food Labeling Debate
The Center for Food Safety: Genetically Engineered Food: The Labeling Debate
National Press Foundation: Understanding the GMO Labeling Debate (video)
Food Labeling: Would warning labels on food make people eat better?
American Society for Clinical Nutrition: Consumer perspectives on food labels
Food Labeling Court Cases
10 Important Supreme Court Cases: Rulings on misleading labeling cases.
Forbes: Plaintiffs sued for falsely labeling products as “All” or “100-percent Natural.”
Bowman vs. Monsanto: Makes Further Case for GE Labeling
Labeling Litigation in 2017: Consumer groups allege products were misleadingly labeled.
Food Labeling Training
The Grocery Manufacturers Association: Offers workshops on food labeling rules.
ComplianceOnline: Instructions on how to create labels in compliance with regulations.
ESHA Research: A master food and nutrient database containing over 72,000 food items.
Food Labeling Articles
Chicago Tribune: GMO labeling debate puts food industry on defensive.
Fox News: What you need to know about GMO foods.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Reading the Nutrition Facts label.
Food Labeling Allergens
Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004: Questions and Answers
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: FAQ on Food Allergen Labeling Consumer Protection Act
FDA: Food Allergies: What You Need to Know
FDA: Food Allergies: Reducing the Risks (video)
Food Labeling and Obesity
American Society for Clinical Nutrition: Government perspective on food labeling.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Nutrition Labeling to Prevent Obesity; a quality resource for food addiction help.
International Journal of Obesity: Improving the design of nutrition labels to promote healthier choices.
National Bureau of Economic Research: Nutrition Labels and Obesity
Food Labeling and Packaging
Center for Food Safety: U.S. Food and Drug Administration states attention needed for GMO foods.
North Dakota State University: Packaging, labeling, transporting and storing food products.
Food Labeling Benefits
Livestrong: Why Reading Food Labels is Important.
Union of Concerned Scientists: Transparency in Food Labeling
Food Labeling Basics
University of California: Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Food Labeling
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: The Basics of the Nutrition Facts Label
America Heart Association: Understanding Food Nutrition Labels
Food Labeling Companies
Cornell University: Cornell Food Venture Center Nutrition: Labeling via computer analysis
NutriData: Nutrition Analysis and Food Labeling
Prime Label Consultants: Provides compliance training for numerous government agencies.
Online Labels: Nutrition Facts for Your Products
Food Labeling Consultant
Food Consulting Company: Over 1,500 clients worldwide.
RL Food Testing Laboratory: Food Labeling, Lab Services and Consulting
Food Label Consultants: Confirming labels comply with federal regulations.
Food Labeling Certification
FoodLab: Professional Nutritional Analysis Services
Food Ingredients Online: Hands-on Labeling Certification Program
Organic Labels and Food Certifications: Managing organic certification programs.
Mother Nature Network: 17 food certification labels decoded.
Food Labeling Changes
USDA: Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label
USDA: Proposed Rule on GMO Food Labeling. May 2018
Medical News Bulletin: FDA Implements Changes to Nutrition Facts Label.
Today’s Dietitian: The New Food Label: What RDs Need to Know
USA Today: FDA delays deadline for nutrition labels.
Food Labeling Design
University of Minnesota: The Economics of Labeling
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Presentation of Nutrition Information on Food Labels
Food Labeling Facts
USDA Organic Labeling: Organic products require strict production and labeling procedures.
National Sanitation Foundation: Organic Labeling Requirements
Kids Health: Agencies regulate health claims on food labels.
FDA: How to Understand and use the Nutrition Facts Label
Food Labeling Guide
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Labeling and Nutrition Guidance Documents
Animal Welfare Institute: A Consumer’s Guide to Food Labels and Animal Welfare
California Department of Public Health: Labeling Requirements for Cottage Food Products
Cornell Law School: Food exemptions from labeling.
Food Labeling In Restaurants
National Restaurant Association: Menu Labeling
National Public Radio: FDA Issues New Rules For Restaurants
Summer Banks has researched over 5000 weight-loss programs, pills, shakes and diet plans. Previously, she managed 15 supplement brands, worked with professionals in the weight loss industry and completed coursework in nutrition at Stanford University.