Beijing Institute of nutrition source Research Fellow  Wang Jinbang
Lee East
The national food administration modernization should be the legal management, to establish a complete laws and regulations, including laws and regulations standard. Most countries in the world have promulgated the food standards in their respective countries. At the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAOAnd WHO ()WTOUnder the auspices),20Century60The Codex Alimentarius Commission (established in theCAC), an inter governmental agencies to jointly develop international food standards, as the coordination of national food standards, as well as an important basis for the settlement of international food trade disputes.

In theWTOTwo important documents (SPSThe agreements andTBTAgreement) are provided forCACStandards are the only recognized international food standard. Our country has entered theWTOThe organization must also comply with the regulations. Therefore, in the short term to rectify the modification about China's food laws and regulations and standards, and make theCACConsistent with the standards, to shorten the adaptation period is a pressing matter of the moment. Thus, the future of China's development of new products, new processes, new international trends, understand the various kinds of imported products and food raw materials, material selection, preservation method, safety, food labels are very important. We should study wellFDA,USDAIn the formulation of experience and lessons from the work of the nutrition label.

1990Years11Month, nutrition labeling regulations and education law signed by President Bush through Congress by America (NLEAIn America), at least50Years of the most significant food trademark legislation,NLEAIn order to implement the requirements of nutrition information to all food packaging American market. In USANLEADirect control of the food label use rights, it is applicable to theFDAStandardized food labels. WhileUSDAControl of meat, poultry and other products of the label.BATFControl of alcohol, tobacco and other trademark. Food advertisingFTCControl management.
FDAThe food label reform, revision is after a heated discussion, research and complex struggle. Food labelling law is byFDA,USDA,FSISJointly developed, as an educational campaign, it has three purposes:
1,Promotion of understanding of the new label and accurate understanding, including the executive staff. Only by understanding, understanding of the laws and regulations can be performed correctly and continuously through the market consumer feedback opinion to amend the regulations. There are supplement and amendment to the relevant departments to the new Congress or the America food labeling regulations each year.
2,USDAAndFDAIn the legislative practice strengthened the inter sectoral linkages, a joint law enforcement. In order to implement the nutrition labeling education action, The federal government and other public private organizations launched a nationwide education action plan. To help consumers to use the new label information plan personal healthy diet. This is a long-term project, the participating departments established extensive cooperation. By holding the state conference to convey information, and connect the nutrition education network, to encourage joint plan, strive to achieve the exchange of food nutrition labeling education. Encouraging all kinds of associations, private organizations (including other government agencies, food processing factory, trade associations, consumer associations, health experts and educators) jointly published claims, donated funds. Ensure that all customer can receive food labeling education. ByFDAFood labelling (educational exchange organizationNLFLEHold regular domestic) conference made participants to learn from each other, exchange, dissent, seek the education method, communication survey data, make a plan, to make each kind of special groups (such as the elderly) and all kinds of evaluation information.

FDAAndFSISAlso set up a food label Education Information Center, food and nutrition center is located in the National Agricultural Library, information center has a variety of nutrition education materials, survey data and special publications, computer database.

FDAAndUSDAAlso prepared a large number of print, audio-visual materials available to consumers and education workers. Are free, no copyright, any person for the purpose of education can be replicated widely spread, in order to guarantee the. The pamphlet also translated into many languages.
In addition toFDAAndUSDABesides the nutritional label information efforts, many societies and organizations are also working with the government or independent preparation materials, such as experts to do the label study guide, education, exhibition, news, different views of pamphlets, media tools, books and copy etc..
3,
Composition analysis of food chemistry, in order to provide nutrition information as the basis for the label label. USA in nutrition labeling Education Act of1993Nutrition labeling regulations by make full preparation for work. Nutritional analysis dataFDATheFSISIn the qualified its procedures in each standard for sample collection, specific analysis methods and requirements level etc.. And in the1995Years, all the shelves of food are affixed to the new logo. And1990Between education method in time through a long period of time. Fully responsible for the consumer's spirit.

One, USA nutrition labeling education reform is divided into three steps:
1,First to eliminate consumers on food labels
Because the food label and reform, not only in order to make the food packaging labels more good-looking. It is related to people's quality of life America, public nutrition knowledge, dietary nutrition, diet and health, disease prevention knowledge level of the problem. The label specified amount of food quality mark, to build an information bridge between producers and consumers.
2,FDAThe nutritional label and the effectiveness of the reform is not based on the number of packages to use nutrition labels or what Americans read the new labels to measure. But to people's eating habits are changed as a result of new products; American life is to live a more healthy life to measure. It is not in order to establish rules and regulations, regulations and enforcement is to people's health as a guarantee. The government to improve public health as the top priority of the federal government. That American in America national survey report2.6There are about a million population50%People often intake of vitamins, minerals, herbs and other dietary supplements as a way to improve the nutrition. Therefore, in order to ensure the health of consumers, it is necessary to take legislative action to ensure that consumers have the right to choose the food safety and health. From the angle of law to protect the interests of consumers.
3,To encourage manufacturers to produce innovative, really safe and healthy food. And for any product to obtain free competition and provide an effective way in the market, food producers such as vision will consciously abide by the food regulations. And in the nutrition labeling according to state provisions. By changing the product's nutritional quality, improvement of nutritional education for accuracy, improve information publicity means. Will enable businesses to obtain a new environment, improve sales performance, competitive advantage. This is also the reason why foreign fast-food market quickly occupied China.

Two, American nutrition labeling regulations fully embodies the scientific laws:
1990YearsNLEAAndFDAFor nutrition labeling education content to follow the rules:
1,All mandatory nutrition labeling of food processing
2,Requests for regulations of nutrients using unified form in the label statements
3,Establishment of the recommended daily intake (RDI) and daily intake (DV)
4,Details of packing and packaging volume reference volume per minute
5,Federal regulations establish statement nutrition content and health claims
6,Standardized nutrition label format
7,Nutrition labels
8,Awarded the state executiveFDSome of the &C regulation
9,The counterfeit products processing, federal regulations prior to the state law
10, announced the product formula
And the provisions of the exemption categories mandatory nutrition labels, including non conditional exemption and conditional exemption, the exemption of small business details.


There is every law has strict scientific basis, for example on food nutrition labels in mandatory nongraphite and voluntary labelling nutrients or ingredients are listed in the compulsory or voluntary labelling nutrition label; they must have a unified format; a particular order and good design special expression(If the content or the provisions of the daily requirements%(DV%)Displayed on the packaging). Moreover, the nutrient contents of each package quantity that have special rules (such as incremental value rules, not worth mentioning values specified).

Three, American nutrition labeling regulations also reflects the practical


USA food nutrition label format is carefully designed, full deliberation and infiltration of a large number of scientific research survey, can let consumers understand and achieve as to choose their own needs, important information beneficial to health food. Is a bridge between consumers and manufacturer's reputation, but also the government enforcement of regulations to ensure food safety basis. In the food packaging the last little layout on the label reflects a lot of nutrition information.


Packaged food nutrition labels on the main display layout although only part of the layout, but the format is clear and detailed practical regulations, regulations require the main display layout should set aside enough space to accommodate the requirements of this section size, must be in here to label all statutory requirements tagging data. Annotation to clear, not with the fuzzy image and decoration, do not appear crowded. For different forms of packaging, the main display layout position and size also have clear requirements.
Nutrition labeling the new format: in the implementation of1990 NLEA When the,FDAJurisdiction within the scope of the nutrition labeling of foodsFDAManagement, nutrition labeling of meat or meat products, livestock products byFSISLaws and regulations management, the label also raised a requirement for marking some nutritional information, and other information are voluntary labeling. In addition,FSISAllow voluntary labelling stearic acid content on the label, andFDAIs not allowed, butFDAHas received a lot of to apply for a license for voluntary labeling of stearic acid.FDAFig. standard forms of food nutrition label information1 (omitted):
Label features in the form of the:
1,The food packaging with a weight to say
2,Besides the vitamins and minerals, nutrients content of each food with G says
3,In addition to sugar and protein, the amount of each nutrient in2000Card as the daily requirement%Calculation
4,When the food containing the column in the table2000Card or2500Calories, relevant supplementary nutrients daily requirements description.
5,For the label in the daily requirements and reference daily intake (RDIAnd the daily requirement (Reference)DRVOf. The term"RDI"Has replaced the term USA recommended dietary allowance"RDA". Table1List the vitamins and minerals in the nutrition label label sequence, table2Lists the various components of theDRVValue.
6,Nutrition labeling in addition to the general form, and the simplified form; shortened forms; list and marking two kinds of language forms.

7The concept, the recommended daily intake and daily reference intake into the tag, but the two values are not displayed in the label on the page, but toDVValue instead of appearing in the nutrition label layout. The purpose is to simplify the label, improve consumer clarity.DVValues can help consumers to good use of food labeling information, plan personal daily healthy diet; and easy to identify the nutrient content (with "high" and "low" and other terms), and theDVValue to calculate%DVValue. And tell the consumer, and the daily intake2000The total amount of daily diet card compared to choose the food, can also understand the nutrition, nutrition knowledge.
Each table are the reflection of a nutritional information, each number has a scientific basis, each line and font size, depth are also specified. Nutrition information to guide new nutrition labelling will transfer the latest and most easily applied. At present America market almost60%Food packaging have a label. For quantity is a key to help consumers open nutrition design way.

8The label requirements, on nutrition content reference food for reference, the first reflects the average people habit of consumption. In the food nutrition selection more scientific compared with the reference food. For example, a consumer in the consumption of fast food, not only will each a bag of potato chips and other each potato chips and compared their nutrient content. Also can be in about the same weight of cracker, the fat intake will have great difference.

Four, the popularization of USA nutrition labeling regulations

America nutrition labeling regulations is a guiding policy, how to popularize and simplify regulations, can let the consumer understand, read and understand and practical application of the FDA regulations, do a lot of work in the education of law popularization, previously described. FDA food safety and Applied Nutrition Center in 2000 June published by the special nutrition label manual universal example and explain the nutrition label information using method. The name "Guidance an How to understand book and use the Nutrition facts Panel on food labels".



Humanization of five, USA nutrition labeling Education Law

The world of food management, especially the management of health food American is the most restrictive countries. In the food nutrition labeling in particular has highlighted the safety and health education, nutrition label annotation data, packaging style, size, unit of measurement is the number of copies with humanity. Such as:

1, the law requires all for human consumption and for sale products to provide nutritional information on food (except those exempted); nutritional information labels must be the form of packaging products must be in accordance with the provisions of the form shown in the label on the packaging to be marked; non food nutrient data must be clearly displayed on the shopping place (e.g. the counter card, signboard, paste in the product label) or pamphlets, loose leaf notebook etc.. In the advertisement should be stated for nutrition information to somewhere to solicit or mail to consumers.

2, food packaging is expressed in quantity and amount for each account for each reference daily intake percentage. This eliminates the need for consumers to buy food home also own calculation, products to the nutrient content and then converted into the contents of each package. In addition, the units of measurement used public ownership units (Ang Si), and at the same time, the household utensils as the unit of measurement (such as: bottle, plate, spoon and so on) and tell consumers how to equivalent conversion household units and public ownership units. In order to control the amount of the housewife.

3, continue to modify the nutrition label information according to the consumers

   Such as the September 23, 1997 FDA (fortified food nutrition label chapter to make changes in the Federal Code), strengthening the food shall be added nutrition label marketing.

The revised labeling regulations also make corresponding provisions to strengthen the food label format:

Nutrition information on the label shall include:

1, food units corresponding to the food forms of words (such as blocks, capsule, Bao Huoshao);

2, the number of copies per box (as in a net content statement shall not be re injection);

3, diet information, such as daily reference intake (RDI) or reference consumption (DRV). According to the relevant provisions of the RDI or DRV weight is not indicated on the label.

The revised regulations also made the corresponding provisions to strengthen the food label format:

Such as "food units" title should be written in fortified foods below on the left; "each box score" written in the edible units below on the left. Component name should be RDI and DRV and the content by weight the standard under the "each content". Vitamins and minerals in the order VA, Vc, VD, VE, VK, VB1 VB2, niacin, folic acid, VB6, VB12, VH, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, sodium, potassium.

Content expressed in dietary composition weight, rather than as a source of dietary components are expressed by weight. The revised law on saturated fat and polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, calories, soluble and insoluble fiber, sugar and other carbohydrates can be marked, but if they have a statement must be marked. Other vitamins and minerals can be marked, but in order to strengthen the aim is added to food must be marked. Contains no or less than RDA 2% components without mark. If in addition to technical reasons to join the ingredients, containing only a single amino acid, it should not be marked protein.

Label all nutritional information, code revised: should use is larger than any other text on the nutrition label font title "strengthen the fact that", and whenever possible, with the label width. All the headings should use boldface, as distinguished from other information.

For example, in 1999 FDA issued a notice on food labels and health market, make more new clear, detailed and meet the health requirements. FDA notice: skim milk powder according to the fat is divided into a plurality of normal and two grades, in addition to print on the label must also understand, respectively to distinguish red and green label processing, convenient for consumers to identify; processed foods containing edible oil components, packaging must be marked what oil, such as "corn" "olive oil", not simply marked with "vegetable oil". The name on some food, notice requirements must be specific, not talk ambiguously, such as "crab meat" package should be marked "crab" or "crab", "no head crab" should be marked as "crab" or "crab" etc.. The circular also stipulates, one of the following 8 kinds of circumstances, can be considered to be the sale of violation of health food requirements:

1, food containing uncensored without additives approved for use;

2, regardless of any part is not clean, corruption and decomposition of food;

3, in unsanitary conditions, packaging, processing, sales and storage of hazardous substances contaminated food packaging materials;

4, illness or death animal belonging to processed products;

5, to break out of packaging materials harmful substances and packaging container;

6, does not contain pigment or seasoning food safety;

7, agricultural raw materials contained in the products without environmental agency license or by pesticide in terms of residue allows standard food;

8, food additives and packaging material or container is not approved by FDA.

Human nature is also reflected in the health food management, such as the October 25, 1994 issue (dietary supplements, Health Education Act), allowed to advertise products beneficial to human nutrition, but not "diagnosis" "reduce" "treatment" "cure" the disease of publicity, not on food labels printed only good description of the body, but must have two positive and negative balance statement.

FDA, USDA started the implementation of mandatory nutrition labelling and nutrient content claims from May 8, 1994. The new nutrition labeling law, highlighting the theme of healthy food and health promotion.

In January 6, 1993, FDA (Federal Register method America) published on "health food" health propaganda management regulations, including health propaganda way approved only 7.

1, eat more fruits, vegetables can prevent tumor.

2, the uptake of low fat food can prevent tumor.

3, eating fiber rich Cereals, fruit and vegetable food can prevent tumor.

4, the uptake of calcium to prevent osteoporosis.

5, vegetable and grain intake of dietary fiber (especially soluble dietary fiber) can prevent tumor.

6, consumption of unsaturated fatty acids, low cholesterol diet can prevent coronary heart disease.

7, use low sodium salt can prevent hypertension.

In addition, there are three not fully approved way is:

1, folic acid intake can prevent fetal neural tube defects, baby. After one year, the statement finally in 1994 January "Federal Register 433-437" was approved. Daily intake of folic acid can not exceed 1mg. From the beginning of 1998, USA FDA approved the use of folic acid fortification of wheat flour in the products, to prevent fetal neural tube defects, baby.

2, zinc rich food can enhance the immune function of organism.

3, ω -3 polyunsaturated fatty acid can prevent coronary heart disease.



Six, reference to national nutrition label content to make our nutrition label

   At present, China is actively developing nutrition labeling regulations suited to China's national conditions. In order to adapt to the new situation of entering the WTO, should also be like other countries with "standard" as the basis of the relevant regulations of the state, try to make the food label content and CCFL "standard" consistent. Because the food label seemingly small things, but for the protection of consumer rights and reduce food international trade barriers is a big problem. To be serious, serious collection of large amounts of data and consumer advice, do a lot of basic work: such as nutrition knowledge on mass education, published guidelines on nutrition labelling, establish nutrient information database based on the approved to expert discussion and government out of the cage.



1, first of all, should be established in each meal habits of consumption reference according to the Chinese diet data table. FDA in the reference values, principles and factors to consider are:

Each meal habits of consumption reference volume 4 years old and above the age of 4, this data is the data of national food consumption survey of appropriate basis.

Reference volume II infants or children under the age of 4 children under 12 years old or reflect the baby 1-3 years every dining habits of consumption, the income data of national food consumption survey suitable for. Only for infants and children below the age of 4 years of special preparation and processing of food.

The food consumption survey appropriate from the point of view, including demographic and socioeconomic groups have a lot of sampling investigation, representative and must be based on actual consumption data.

In order to determine each dining habits of consumption, FDA considers the average each dining habits of consumption value, middle value and fashion value to us is also very practical.

If the survey data is insufficient, FDA will consider using other data as the basis, determine the serving size.

The because they reflect is the habit of consumption, products on the label reference volume or serving size only to the edible parts of food, not including the calculation of bone, seed, shell or other non edible part.

The reference quantity is the food is mainly used for the basis (for example: milk as beverage instead of corn additives).

The consumption of other foods as ingredients on at the same time, also can be in the form of sales of consumer products (such as cream), the reference to the purchase of form as the basis.

Dietary use FDA to have similar, similar product characteristics and habits of consumption of food, in order to provide a unified reference reference value to us.

2, with reference to determine the specific products serving size benchmark, the establishment of DRVs reference value by scientific protocol, is for these nutrients and food ingredients on the label display. But they are not like before, to standard exists, but in a daily intake of 2000 calories as the bottom label recommendations based on. The%DV standard value is calculated by the appropriate RDI. Table 1 and table 2 specific visible.

3, consumer education, first of all to the national nutrition knowledge level and the degree of survey of nutrition information understanding; some more nutrition label form design, highlight what information should be considered carefully. The label system must be established and various organizations, industry leaders to discuss to the completion of the work of consumer education. In addition, close contact between tags performer and the makers, in order to collect opinions to modify, supplement label content.

To determine the content of 4, mandatory labeling analysis of nutrients in cost and method of funding, must enable manufacturers to afford, not to mark and fraud, it destroyed the original intention of nutrition label.

5, must have the specialized agencies to provide adequate information for the specific content of nutrition label:

   Nutrition labeling of food in restaurants (including: fast food, family buy dish main, non-staple food) Chinese catering nutrition labeling complex. We have the DongLaiShun's mutton slices cooked in hot pot meals dietary structure and nutrient intake (including: calories, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and so on) and the national recommended adult daily requirement of balanced diet. According to the present people diet nutrients exceed the standard calculation. Therefore, the restaurant if you can recommend nutritional diet reasonable to consumers will greatly improve the situation. And that requires a restaurant for each staple food and nutrition ingredients labels, which are input into the computer. According to each consumer to buy and eat. It will be of great benefit to health. To achieve scientific diet effect.