When “All Natural” Isn’t

By Ricardo Carvajal –

FDA issued a warning letter to a food manufacturer for labeling as “all natural” a product that contains disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate, purportedly a synthetic chemical preservative.  The letter cites an alleged violation of FDC Act § 403(a)(1), under which a food is deemed misbranded if its labeling is false or misleading in any particular.  As noted in the letter, “FDA considers use of the term ‘natural’ on a food label to be truthful and non-misleading when ‘nothing artificial or synthetic…has been included in, or has been added to, a food that would not normally be expected to be in the food.’”

The letter is notable for the fact that the “all natural” claim is the only violation cited.  Evidently, FDA considers the misuse of a “natural” claim significant enough to warrant the issuance of a warning letter, even in the absence of other violations.  The letter closes with good generic advice: “We recommend that you review all of your product labels to be consistent with our policy to avoid additional misbranding of your food products.”