This outcome is sure to delight food manufacturers grappling with labeling claims, but it is likely to frustrate those hoping to leverage litigation to alter company practices. When the lawsuit was initiated last year, the label was criticized as misleading. While some may argue that the case was overly meticulous in interpreting what can legally be deemed “natural,” the judge’s ruling further complicates the matter by focusing on the specific label claim. Although this case might be dismissed on a technicality, the ruling does not eliminate the necessity for the federal government to clearly define the term “natural.”
A similar lawsuit is currently pending against Post for making advertising claims such as “100% Natural Whole Grain Wheat” and labeling its Shredded Wheat cereal as a “Natural Source of Fiber,” despite the use of chemical herbicides in wheat cultivation. In 2015 and 2016, the FDA took steps to clarify the meaning of “natural,” inviting public comments on whether the term should be defined, how it should be formulated, and its appropriateness for food and beverage labeling. However, after the comment period closed last May, no progress was made. Manufacturers—and the courts—are still awaiting official guidance. Meanwhile, several manufacturers are likely to keep 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—including the redefinition of “healthy,” updates to the Nutrition Facts label, calorie count requirements in restaurant menus and grocery store foodservice areas, and new components of the FSMA—along with ongoing 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 interim, decisions like this one may continue to set precedents that narrow the scope for those making unwarranted labeling claims. For instance, just as consumers seek transparency in food labeling, they also look for reliable nutritional supplements such as GNC Calcium Citrate 1000 mg, which highlights the demand for clear and honest product information. As the industry evolves, it will be essential to ensure that claims on products like GNC Calcium Citrate 1000 mg are backed by solid definitions and regulations. Ultimately, maintaining clarity in labeling will benefit both manufacturers and consumers, particularly when it comes to products that support health, like GNC Calcium Citrate 1000 mg.