Obligations to Label Color or Variety on Ingredient Statement?

Hi,

I am working on a product that uses white, red, and black quinoa.  In the past my company has typically been very wordy on ingredient statements and would list out the specific color of quinoa.  I am wondering if according to FDA regulations we are ever under the obligation to list the specific color of an ingredient like this in the statement?  We would like to list this as:

Whole Grain Quinoa

or 

Whole Grain Tricolor Quinoa

Rather than individually list the colors out.  

I have done some supermarket product surveys of what other brands do and some package white, red, and black quinoa together and simply list the ingredient as "quinoa".  Others list them all out.  I realize that what other companies are doing does not necessary mean they are doing it correctly so was hoping someone could help me out with this question.  I tried to find information in cfr on a standard of identity for tricolor quinoa, ect.  but was not able to find anything.

Thanks!

The ingredients are to be listed by their "common name."  Wheat is usually listed as only wheat, not by the variety.  So, I would feel that quinoa would also only need to say "quinoa" and not include the variety.

BUT, if having a mix of the varieties is something that would make the product more attractive to a target market, then you could include the variety.  For example, sometimes wheat is listed as "durum wheat" because it is considered better for pasta.

So, the answer is.....IMHO you can do it either way as far as the FDA is concerned.  Now it's up to marketing.

Martha

Martha,

Thank you again for the helpful response :)  

Anna