FDA Issues Draft Guidance Regarding Use of an Alternative Name for Potassium Chloride in Food Labeling
What's New
FDA Extends Comment Period on Guidance Regarding Alternative Name of Potassium Chloride
July 9, 2019
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is extending by 60 days, until September 17, 2019, the comment period on the draft guidance, “The Use of an Alternate Name for Potassium Chloride in Food Labeling.” The original comment period was scheduled to end on July 19.
The agency is taking this action in response to requests for additional time to submit comments. FDA believes that the extension will allow adequate time for interested persons to provide input.
The FDA is announcing the extension in the Federal Register.
How to Comment
- To submit electronic comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov to Docket Folder FDA-2019-D-0892.
- Written comments must be sent to: Docket Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. All submissions received must include the Docket No. FDA-2019-0892.
Further instructions can be found in the Notice of Availability; extension of comment period.
Original Constituent Update
May 17, 2019
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing a draft guidance to advise food manufacturers of its intent to exercise enforcement discretion for the name “potassium chloride salt” in the ingredient statement on food labels as an alternative to the common or usual name “potassium chloride.”
The draft guidance is consistent with FDA's Nutrition Innovation Strategy to reduce the burden of chronic disease in the United States through improved nutrition. The strategy’s goals are to empower consumers with information and support and foster industry innovation in developing and promoting healthful food options. The draft guidance is also consistent with FDA’s activities to encourage manufacturers to reduce the sodium levels in food products in the interest of public health.
Potassium chloride, in some instances, can be used as a partial substitute for sodium chloride in food processing and manufacturing. The addition of the term “salt” to “potassium chloride” may encourage manufacturers to use this sodium alternative and help consumers to understand that potassium chloride can replace sodium chloride in foods. This may help to reduce the intake of sodium, which is over-consumed by the U.S. population, while increasing potassium, which is under-consumed.
Comments on the draft guidance should be submitted within 60 days after publication in the Federal Register of the notice announcing the availability of the guidance. This will ensure that they are considered before work begins on the final guidance. Submit electronic comments to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments to the Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. All comments should be identified with the docket number FDA-2019-D-0892.
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