[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 21, Volume 4]
[Revised as of April 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 21CFR201.64]

[Page 38-39]
 
                        TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
 
CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
                                SERVICES
 
PART 201--LABELING--Table of Contents
 
       Subpart C--Labeling Requirements for Over-the-Counter Drugs
 
Sec. 201.64  Sodium labeling.

    (a) The labeling of over-the-counter (OTC) drug products intended 
for oral ingestion shall contain the sodium content per dosage unit 
(e.g., tablet, teaspoonful) if the sodium content of a single 
recommended dose of the product (which may be one or more dosage units) 
is 5 milligrams or more. OTC drug products intended for oral ingestion 
include gum and lozenge dosage forms, but do not include dentifrices, 
mouthwashes, or mouth rinses.
    (b) The sodium content shall be expressed in milligrams per dosage 
unit and shall include the total amount of sodium regardless of the 
source, i.e., from both active and inactive ingredients. The sodium 
content shall be rounded-off to the nearest whole number. The sodium 
content per dosage unit shall follow the heading ``Other information'' 
as stated in Sec. 201.66(c)(7).
    (c) The labeling of OTC drug products intended for oral ingestion 
shall contain the following warning under the heading ``Warning'' (or 
``Warnings'' if it appears with additional warning statements) if the 
amount of sodium present in the labeled maximum daily dose of the 
product is more than 140

[[Page 39]]

milligrams: ``Do not use this product if you are on a sodium-restricted 
diet unless directed by a doctor.''
    (d) The term sodium free may be used in the labeling of OTC drug 
products intended for oral ingestion if the amount of sodium in the 
labeled maximum daily dose is 0 milligram. For example, a product 
containing 0.4 (rounded-off to zero (0)) milligram sodium per tablet 
with directions to take one tablet daily may use the term ``sodium 
free'' in its labeling. However, when the recommended dose provides for 
taking more than one dosage unit per day, e.g., take one or two tablets, 
or take two tablets, the same product containing 0.4 milligram sodium 
per tablet shall not use the term ``sodium free'' because the labeled 
maximum daily dose contains 0.8 milligram sodium.
    (e) The term very low sodium may be used in the labeling of OTC drug 
products intended for oral ingestion if the amount of sodium in the 
labeled maximum daily dose is 35 milligrams or less.
    (f) The term low sodium may be used in the labeling of OTC drug 
products intended for oral ingestion if the amount of sodium in the 
labeled maximum daily dose is 140 milligrams or less.
    (g) The term salt is not synonymous with the term sodium and shall 
not be used interchangeably or substituted for the term sodium.
    (h) The terms sodium free, very low sodium, and low sodium shall be 
in print size and style no larger than the product's statement of 
identity and shall not be unduly prominent in print size or style 
compared to the statement of identity.
    (i) Any product subject to this paragraph that contains sodium 
bicarbonate, sodium phosphate, or sodium biphosphate as an active 
ingredient for oral ingestion and that is not labeled as required by 
this paragraph and that is initially introduced or initially delivered 
for introduction into interstate commerce after April 22, 1997, is 
misbranded under sections 201(n) and 502 (a) and (f) of the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act).

[61 FR 17806, Apr. 22, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 19925, Apr. 24, 1997; 
64 FR 13286, Mar. 17, 1999]

    Effective Date Note: At 62 FR 19925, Apr. 24, 1997, the effective 
date for Sec. 201.64 (a) through (h) was delayed until further notice.