FDA Slams “All Natural” Bagels for Potassium Sorbate Preservative

A new FDA warning letter says that Bagels Forever “Bluebarry” bagel is misbranded, calling itself “all natural” and containing no preservatives when in fact the dry blueberries used in the product contain potassium sorbate, which is considered a chemical preservative. FDA’s letter calls the product’s claims “false and misleading.”

“FDA considers use of the term ‘natural’ on a food label to be truthful and non-misleading only when nothing artificial or synthetic has been included in, or has been added to, a food that would not normally be expected to be in the food (58 FR 2302, 2407, January 6, 1993; 21 CFR 101.22). Your product is manufactured with infused wild dry blueberries that contain potassium sorbate, which is listed in 21 CFR 182.3640 as a chemical preservative; therefore, your product may not make the claims ‘All Natural’ and ‘No Preservatives.’”

Nutritional Outlook thanks Justin Prochnow of Greenberg Traurig for the tip.