Use of the Term “Natural” in the Labeling of Human Food Products; Request for Information and Comments

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing the establishment of a docket to receive information and comments on the use of the term "natural" in the labeling of human food products, including foods that are genetically engineered or contain ingredients produced through the use of genetic engineering. We are taking this action in part because we received three citizen petitions asking that we define the term "natural" for use in food labeling and one citizen petition asking that we prohibit the term "natural" on food labels. We also note that some Federal courts, as a result of litigation between private parties, have requested administrative determinations from FDA regarding whether food products containing ingredients produced using genetic engineering or foods containing high fructose corn syrup may be labeled as "natural." We are working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service and Food Safety and Inspection Service to also examine the use of the term "natural" in meat, poultry, and egg products, and are considering areas for coordination between FDA and USDA. We invite public comment on the term "natural" in the cont