17 food makers put on notice by FDA [View All]

[Adsos Letter]

Source: The Washington Post via The Seattle Times
By Lyndsey Layton
The Washington Post

Warning letters and full list of affected products: www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/ucm202859.htm.

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified 17 food companies, including major brands such as Gerber and Nestlé, that they have violated federal laws by making false or misleading claims on their packaging.

The agency sent warning letters Feb. 22 and gave the companies 15 days to respond with an explanation of how they intend to correct the labels. If the companies fail to do so, the FDA said it may take further action, including seizure of products.

In a letter to the food industry released Wednesday, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg made it clear that accurate labeling is a priority at a time the country is fighting obesity and diet-related diseases.

While some companies have voluntarily changed their packaging to comply with the law, others have made false or misleading claims on packaging, which undermines the ability of consumers to make healthy choices, she wrote.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2011249755_label04.html