The Food and Drug Administration sent letters to three US cigarette makers warning against use of “natural” or “additive-free” descriptions on products such as Natural American Spirit, an action the FDA said would break new ground.

Both descriptions represent claims of reduced health risk that require manufacturers obtain FDA approval, the agency said. Manufacturers were directed to obtain modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) authorizations to keep the descriptions on product labels. The FDA in its statement noted it has yet to grant an MRTP request.
Companies cited were Santa Fe Natural Tobacco, the Reynolds American (RAI) subsidiary that makes the Spirit line, Imperial Tobacco’s US subsidiary ITG Brands and Sherman’s 1400 Broadway, a New York City tobacconist that manufactures its own premium products. ITG Brands was warned for describing as “additive free” the Winston brand it acquired from RAI in June as part of the Lorillard deal. Sherman’s received a letter for using “natural” on its Nat Sherman cigarettes, FDA said. In addition to the use of natural, Santa Fe also was warned on use of the descriptive “additive free.”
“The FDA’s job is to ensure tobacco products are not marketed in a way that leads consumers to believe cigarettes with descriptors like 'additive-free' and 'natural' pose fewer health risks than other cigarettes, unless the claims have been scientifically supported,” said Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “This action is a milestone.”
Companies sent warning letters have 15 days to outline compliance measures or submit objections to FDA.