Evaluating Regulations for Bush’s Baked Beans Essay Example

plans to establish standards for pork and beans or baked beans, but there is not enough evidence or information that will support the expense needed by the FDA to enable a regulation (1). BBB is commonly termed, “Pork and Beans” or “Beans and Pork” usually named so because of the dry mature beans prepared from the species Phaseolus vulgaris L. In combination with these beans, a pork variety is added for flavor, packaged with a sauce consisting of water and/or other safe and suitable ingredients.

The bean name is not required on the label but it is generally expected to be of the pea (navy) variety. If beans such as pinto beans or red kidney beans are used, then the consumer is entitled to this information and the label should bear the name of the bean as the statement of identity. An example of this would be “pinto beans with pork”. The ingredient list is as follows for BBB: Prepared white bean, water, brown sugar, sugar, bacon, salt, cornstarch, mustard, (water, vinegar, mustard seed, salt, turmeric, spices), onion powder, caramel color, spices, garlic powder, and natural flavors.

These items are listed in descending order complying to the FDA characterizing ingredient regulations [21 C. F. R. §§ 102. 5 and 101. 3] on the Information Panel (IP) of the can (2). The other items included on BBB's label would be the Principle Display Panel (PDP), which contains the standard of identity or common name. Since this food item is not standardized, it's common or usual name is used instead of just Bush's Best. The PDP of BBB has an appealing font with the attractive

mixture of colors: red, white, yellow, blue and black.

Each design on the front panel is the company's classic signature mark that shows quality. The font on the front is pictured with the beans implying that the product will look like this when it comes out of the can. This is not only a mandatory rule for labeling, but it allows consumers to find out how the product will look, otherwise, there would be uncertainty from their perspective. Right under the word “Original” there is an explanation as to what flavors are going into it, and for this particular type of baked beans, it is seasoned with bacon and brown sugar.

Off on the side of the PDP there is a nutritional content claim reading “98% fat free” and “high in fiber”. These claims must comply with specific requirements from the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA), which amended the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act. It stated that products with labels containing "Free", "Very Low", or "Low" must have an indication that the food meets a definition without benefit of special processing, alteration, formulation or reformulation and "__% Fat Free": may be used if food meets the requirements for "Low Fat" 21 CFR 101. 62(b)(6) (3).

Under the Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, a “Fiber" claim can only be made if the level of dietary fiber in the product is higher than normal, contains a good source of fiber, or has "more" fiber, and the food is not "low" in total fat as defined (4). On the bottom of the label it tells you how much of the product is in

the can, which is 28 ounces. This follows the “Fill of Container” rule to preserve consumer trust as to how much net content is with in the can. Overall, the Principal Display Panel alone tells the consumer everything they will need to know about the food product.

Off to the side of the PDP is the Information Panel. You can read a note from Jay Bush himself. This seems to serve the purpose of getting the consumers to know about him and his company al little more unlike some other canned products. It does not appear to mislead the consumers in any way, but to let them get a since of where the product originated from. Above this note are the instructions for heating the beans and at the bottom the manufactures of it. Next we look at the nutrition label. The baked beans product has a standard format for the nutritional facts panel.

The number of calories and fat in the product is considerably low. As stated earlier the nutrient content claim on the front of the product claim to be 98 percent fat free and the nutrition label seem to collaborate it. The definition of “Free” is an amount that is nutritionally insignificant. For fat and saturated fat, it has to be less than 0. 5 grams. The bake beans product also claims to be high in fiber. “High” is defined with regard to beneficial, rather than harmful effects and based upon percent of Daily Value in a reference serving. “High” is about 20 percent or more of the DV.

Rationale are diets low in fat and rich in fiber-containing

grain products, fruits, and vegetables that may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, but Bush’s Baked Beans does not make the claim that it reduce cancer risk. Other than brown sugar and double-cured bacon, their traditional spice blend makes the beans very unique and provides the company with an excuse to keep the recipe a secret. No single supplier knows all the components. Bush's Baked Beans can protect their formula or recipe as long as they disclose the ingredients that went into this product.