Anthony Rangel - Comment

After reading and analyzing the proposal, I have decided that I am in favor of the FDA’s proposal in revoking the standards of identity for artificially sweetened jelly and artificially sweetened fruit preserves and jams. I do agree with the assessment that the agency is stating in regards of the standards being obsolete and unnecessary due to the reason of jelly, jams and preserves being sweetened with only artificially sweeteners like sodium saccharin, and calcium saccharin. Since the standards passed in 1957, they have not allowed new and suitable calorie sweeteners. Also, i have come to conclusion that the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA) has made these standards and obsolete, but regulation 21 of the NLEA requires a modification to these foods standards. In a way, it is very important that these standards become modified because it is the consumers right to know what they are eating and buying. If a Jelly or Jam jar say “Low Calorie” or “Fat Free”, consumers are expecting that to be true. However, that is not the case, many of these jellies, jams and preserves are instead being artificially flavored and this needs to change.