Homereported by Cecelia BlalockWashington correspondentHomeGlobal bar-code standardThe verdict is in. The global bar-code standard will adopt the 13-digit European Article Numbering (EAN) code rather than the 12-digit Uniform Code Council bar code used in the United States and Canada.Coding, printing & labelingPlaying catch-upNFPA asked FDA for a 60-day extension, to September 3, 2004, for the comment period on rule making regarding nutrition content claims in food labeling.Coding, printing & labelingTrans fat labeling...continuedThe Grocery Manufacturers of America and the National Food Processors Assn. offered their comments to the Food and Drug Administration on how trans fat information should be included on food labels.Coding, printing & labelingHouse subcommittee passes allergen labelingThe House Subcommittee on Health mirrored action in the Senate by passing legislation requiring food labels to state in clear, plain language if the product contains one or more of the eight major food allergens.