(ANSI) -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting feedback on the use of the term “natural” in food labeling. The action is a response to consumers who have requested that the administration explore the use of this term on food labels, considering the changing landscape of food ingredients and production. The FDA is accepting comments through Feb. 10, 2016.

Although the FDA has not engaged in rulemaking to establish a formal definition for the term “natural,” it notes that it does have a longstanding policy concerning the use of the term in human food labeling. Three citizen petitions have asked that the agency define the term for use in food labeling, and another citizen petition requested that the agency prohibit the term “natural” on food labels.

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