FDA takes action against three tobacco manufacturers for making “additive-free” and/or “natural” claims on cigarette labeling (Michael Felberbaum)
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On August 27th 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to ITG Brands LLC, Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Inc., and Sherman’s 1400 Broadway N.Y.C. Ltd. because of their product labeling on cigarettes as “additive-free” and/or “natural.” This is the first time the FDA has used its authority under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 to monitor claims such as this on tobacco product labeling.
Such labeling is a violation under section 911 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The FDA must determine that these products are modified risk tobacco products before they can legally be labeled as “additive-free” or “natural.” GASP was a signatory on the letters.
Read the FDA press release.
Read more in the New York Times Article.