In comments submitted to the FDA about the new-look labels, the association says the proposed increase in the daily values for vitamin D (up from 10 mcg to 20 mcg); and calcium (up from 1,000 mg to 1,300mg) could have far-reaching consequences for 'good source of/excellent source of' type claims on pack.
“The higher daily value would potentially eliminate vitamin D and calcium fortified juices from the food system as the industry does not currently have the technical ability to deliver a product containing these nutrients at the levels needed to qualify for a nutrient content claim and meet food additive regulation requirements, without nutrients precipitating out of solution or causing cloudiness in the juice,” said the association.
“This would result in a product which is unacceptable to consumers and is an unreliable delivery system for manufacturers.
“The proposed increase in DV would make it more difficult for companies to fortify products with vitamin D, thus making it more difficult for consumers to obtain this nutrient of public health concern from juice and juice products. If juice products are unable to provide vitamin D and calcium, this could potentially place consumers who are unable or unwilling to consume milk or dairy products with vitamin D and calcium at higher risk for inadequacy levels.”
The association also takes issue with the FDA’s proposed definition of ‘added sugars’, which includes fruit juice concentrates, and would mean that not-from-concentrate 100% fruit juice could boast 0g ‘added sugar’ on the new-look Nutrition Facts panel, whereas 100% juice made from concentrate (containing an identical amount of sugar) would have to list its sugar as ‘added’ (click HERE for more reaction to this specific issue).
Click HERE to read the FDA proposals.
Click HERE to read all the comments.