On April 21st, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Request For Information (RFI) to learn more about the content, format, and accuracy of food labeling information provided through online grocery shopping platforms.
In October 2021, the FDA highlighted labeling of grocery products sold online in a session at the FDA’s New Era E-Commerce Summit, where the agency opened a public docket for comment. The FDA is issuing this RFI to solicit feedback from stakeholders about food labeling information that is provided through online grocery shopping platforms. This input will help us improve consumer access to consistent and accurate labeling information for packaged foods sold online.
The RFI is also part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The National Strategy, which was released in September 2022 at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, provides a roadmap of actions the federal government is taking to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030 – all while reducing disparities. This can be accomplished, in part, by ensuring consumers are able to find and view labeling information online, which can help them to make more informed and healthier food choices.
Online grocery sales in the US exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, growing from $62 billion in 2019 to $96 billion in 2020. This number continues to grow, with online grocery orders expected to make up more than 20% of all US grocery sales this year.
The FDA is asking stakeholders about what nutrition, ingredient, and major food allergens labeling information is available through online grocery shopping platforms. The FDA is interested in learning from industry, consumer advocacy groups, and consumers about how food labeling information is presented and if there are challenges with providing accurate and consistent labeling information online.
To ensure comments regarding “Food Labeling in Online Grocery Shopping; Request for Information” are considered, please submit written or electronic comments within 90 days of publication in the Federal Register.
Submit comments electronically on Regulations.gov to docket number FDA-2023-N-0624.
Submit written/paper submissions to:
Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
All submissions received must include the Docket No. FDA-2023-N-0624 for “Food Labeling in Online Grocery Shopping; Request for Information.”
Additional Information:
