Source:  POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 10/24/19

The agency said this week it's going to give food manufacturers a bit more time to fully comply with the long-awaited Nutrition Facts update that's supposed to formally take effect in January (though you can find plenty of updated labels at the grocery store already).

"The FDA has heard from several manufacturers and groups that more time may be needed to meet all of the requirements," the agency wrote in an updated Q&A on its website. "Therefore, during the first 6 months following the January 1, 2020, compliance date, FDA plans to work cooperatively with manufacturers to meet the new Nutrition Facts label requirements and will not focus on enforcement actions regarding these requirements during that time."

Food makers get their wish: The Food & Beverage Issue Alliance, a coalition of food industry trade groups that includes the American Frozen Food Institute, the Corn Refiners Association and the Food Marketing Institute, had recently asked for enforcement discretion. The American Bakers Association, for example, said this week that about 20 to 30 percent of the products its members make would "need additional time for the substantial label changes."

Robb MacKie, president and CEO of ABA, said Wednesday he's "pleased our members will be given more flexibility in order to meet the new labeling requirements."

Deadline remains: It's worth noting that the compliance deadline remains Jan. 1, 2020. The agency will still expect manufacturers to work toward meeting all the requirements and enforcement actions won't be completely off the table for the first six months.

Commish nominee inbound? Trump could nominate Texas cancer researcher Stephen Hahn to be the next FDA commissioner within days, pending a background check, report Pro Health Care's Sarah Karlin-Smith and Sarah Owermohle. The administration needs to name a nominee by the end of the month.