FDA to revoke 52 obsolete standards of identity for food products

USA – The USA Food and Drug Administration has announced that it is revoking 52 food standards after determining they are outdated and no longer necessary.

This move is the first result of the agency’s ongoing analysis of its portfolio of over 250 Food Standards of Identity (SOI) to ensure they are useful, relevant, and serve consumers in the best possible way.

The removal of these standards aligns with broader efforts to ensure that HHS directs resources to where they’re most needed – delivering better outcomes for the American people.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, said, “I’m eliminating outdated food regulations that no longer serve the interests of American families. Today marks a crucial step in my drive to cut through bureaucratic red tape, increase transparency and remove regulations that have outlived their purpose.”

The actions include publication of the following: A direct final rule revoking standards for 11 types of canned fruits and vegetables that are no longer sold in USA grocery stores, including seven standards for fruits artificially sweetened with saccharin or sodium saccharin.

The agency is issuing a companion proposed rule in the same issue of the Federal Register, in case the direct final rule is withdrawn due to significant adverse comments, and the agency needs to proceed with a proposed rule to implement these changes.

Second is a proposed rule that would revoke standards for 18 types of dairy products – including certain milk and cream products, cheeses and related cheese products and frozen desserts.

Third is a proposed rule that would revoke standards for 23 types of food products, including bakery products, macaroni and noodle products, canned fruit juices, fish and shellfish, and food dressings and flavourings.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., said, “The FDA’s Standards of Identity efforts have helped ensure uniformity, boost consumer confidence and prevent food fraud. But many of these standards have outlived their usefulness and may even stifle innovation in making food easier to produce or providing consumers healthier choices. Antiquated food standards are no longer serving to protect consumers. It is common sense to revoke them and move to a more judicious use of food standards and agency resources.”

The FDA began establishing food standards in 1939 to promote “honesty and fair dealing” and to ensure that the characteristics, ingredients and production processes of specific foods were consistent with what consumers expect.

However, advances in food science, agriculture and production practices, and additional consumer protections have made many of these older, rigid “recipe standards” unnecessary.

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