FDA provides temporary flexibility regarding packaged-food nutrition labeling in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

To facilitate the distribution of food during the COVID-19 pandemic, FDA released a guidance document on March 26 to provide restaurants and food manufacturers with flexibility regarding nutrition labeling of certain packaged food. The document, “Guidance for Industry: Temporary Policy Regarding Nutrition Labeling of Certain Packaged Food During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency,” will help restaurants and food manufacturers distribute dairy products and other food ingredients to retail establishments during the outbreak.

In short, this means products destined for foodservice can go to retail without repackaging and/or relabeling, the Washington, D.C.-based International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) said. IDFA, along with its partners in the Food & Beverage Issue Alliance, has been working with FDA on a few priority issues related to ensuring the stability of the food supply through the COVID-19 outbreak.