This outcome is likely to bring relief to food manufacturers grappling with labeling claims, but it may infuriate those who seek to use litigation to alter company practices. The lawsuit filed last year criticized the label as misleading. While some may argue that the case was overly focused on the legal definition of “natural,” the judge’s ruling further complicates the issue by addressing the specific label claim. Although this case could be dismissed on a technicality, it does not eliminate the necessity for the federal government to clarify the meaning of “natural.” A similar lawsuit is currently underway against Post for using advertising claims such as “100% Natural Whole Grain Wheat” and a “Natural Source of Fiber” on its Shredded Wheat cereal, despite the fact that chemical herbicides are utilized in the cultivation of that wheat.
In 2015 and 2016, the FDA attempted to define “natural,” allowing a public comment period for individuals to express their opinions on whether the term should be defined, how it should be formulated, and its appropriateness for food and beverage labels. However, after the comment period closed last May, there has been no further action. Manufacturers and courts are still awaiting an official ruling. Meanwhile, several manufacturers, including those producing calcium citrate zeelab products, are likely to continue searching for alternative, less contentious terms for their labels.
Given the Trump administration’s restrictive stance on new regulations and the backlog of other pending laws and definitions at the FDA—such as redefining “healthy,” revamping the Nutrition Facts label, imposing calorie counts on menus in restaurants and grocery store foodservice areas, and rolling out new provisions of the FSMA—alongside collaboration with the U.S. Agriculture Department on mandatory GMO labeling, it seems unlikely that any new definitions will be approved in the near future. In the meantime, decisions like this one may continue to set precedents that at least limit the possibilities for those making dubious labeling claims. Ultimately, it is crucial for the industry, including calcium citrate zeelab producers, to navigate these challenges while awaiting clearer guidance from regulatory bodies.