According to prior stipulation by FDA, French salad dressing must contain lemon juice, lime juice, or vinegar with vegetable oil making up at least 35 percent of the total product weight. That federal standard of identity sets forth requirements for acidity, fat, and seasonings. Ingredients such as tomato paste, salt, and spices may be added but are not required. This standard of identity is now gone which means that French dressing won’t have a legal definition and can now contain more or less vegetable oil so long as it remains safe to consume. This gives dressing manufacturers the flexibility to explore new recipes and taste profiles for French dressing without worrying about federal standards for identity and labeling. Oil and fat content for the dressing may now vary as well. This action is in response to a citizen petition from the Association for Dressings and Sauces.

We have experts on Standards of Identity on staff to answer your questions.

Picture Credit Susanne Kuehne

Posted on 27 January 2022