Changes in regulations and definitions may impact labeling requirements for food manufacturers. According to Food Processing, the FDA said it was seeking comments on the use of the term “natural.” GMA had filed a citizen petition with FDA in 2014 asking the agency to set a definition for the term, one of three petitions on the subject filed with the agency. In addition, some federal courts have requested clarification from FDA on the proper use of the term “natural” in food labeling due to ongoing litigation on this topic.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association’s (GMA) commented that farming and agricultural methods used in the production of a crop — including pesticide or herbicide use, the use of biotech seeds or animal husbandry (e.g., “free range,” “grass fed,” “fair trade”) — should not have a bearing on the “natural” status of a food or ingredient.

​”We also strongly believe a natural definition should permit the rational addition of nutrients to a food in accordance with FDA’s Fortification Policy,” GMA said.