FDA To Revoke Dozens of Food Product Standards

Beginning in 1939, the FDA started introducing standards for certain products in response to food manufacturers skimping on ingredients during the Great Depression, when companies would, for example, sell jams containing little actual fruit.

Modern labeling requirements have largely replaced these standards of identity, with consumers now able to see nutrition standards, potential allergens and a list of ingredients on products. Still, the standards have, for the most part, remained in place to ensure characteristics, ingredients and production processes are consistent with consumer expectations.

The dairy industry has for years pushed to remove identity standards, saying a product could be considered misbranded or adulterated if a manufacturer uses a new innovative process or ingredient that are not specifically included in law. Of the 280 standards of identity, one-third of them affect dairy products, according to the International Dairy Foods Association.