Industry controls, warning label reduce juice risk

FDA Consumer, July-August, 1998

To address the increasing problem of Salmonella and E. coli infections and other consumer illnesses associated with juice products, FDA has proposed two rules involving manufacturing and labeling changes.

If finalized, the first rule, proposed April 24, would require domestic and foreign processors of packaged fruit and vegetable juices that sell products in the United States to use the "Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)" system to prevent contamination of their products. The HACCP program, already required at seafood, meat and poultry processing plants, is used to identify the steps during food production when contamination is most likely so preventive measures can be taken.

Processors could eliminate harmful microbes by pasteurizing the juice or by alternative methods, such as scrubbing or applying antimicrobial solutions.

The second rule, also proposed April 24, would require manufacturers of juices that are not pasteurized or otherwise treated to place the following warning label on the products: "Warning: This product has not been pasteurized and, therefore, may contain harmful bacteria which can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems."

The public has until July 8 to comment on the HACCP proposal, Write to FDA, Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 Parklawn Drive, Room 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857. The comment period on the labeling proposal closed May 26.

The Federal Register is available in some libraries and at www.fda.gov/ ohrms/dockets/98fr/fr98menu.htm on FDA's Website. The proposals can be reviewed as pdf files by clicking on the date 4/24, then on Docket No. 97N-0511 for the HACCP proposal or Docket No. 97N-0524 for the labeling proposal.