FDA to loosen rules on food`s health benefit claims
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Move welcomed by food makers, feared by critics.
14/07/2003 Washington, The government is loosening restrictions on how much scientific proof is required to advertise a food`s possible health benefits on its package, a move welcomed by food makers but one that critics fear will leave consumers prey to quackery in the grocery aisles.
The Food and Drug Administration announced yesterday that it will accept applications to place "qualified" health claims on food labels beginning Sept. 1. Among the first to be considered: that eating several servings a week of salmon and certain other fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids is thought to, but not proved to, reduce the risk of heart disease.
"We want to help increase America`s nutritional grade-point average," FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan said.
"Americans shouldn`t need a science degree to figure out how foods can fit into a healthy diet," McCellan said.
Until now, the FDA has enforced a very strict standard about what health claims could be made on food labels. Before oatmeal could boast heart-healthy labels, for example, there had to be significant scientific consensus that oatmeal`s fiber helps maintain low cholesterol levels.
Under the program - backed by food manufacturers - the FDA will give a grade to applications for new food claims: A for scientifically proven claims; B where the science is good but not conclusive; C when there`s limited science to support a claim; and D when there`s hardly any.
A-rated claims - such as "calcium prevents bone-weakening osteoporosis" - are already permitted, and won`t change.
Claims rated a "B, "C," or "D" would be considered qualified, and for the first time could be put on a food label next to a short disclaimer that describes the level of proof. Whether the letter grade itself also will go on packages is under consideration.
A congressman influential in passing a decade-old law that governs food labeling said the FDA is essentially violating that law.
"FDA`s decision is going to permit virtually unsupported health claims on foods," said Rep. Henry Waxman, a California Democrat. "When consumers see a claim on a product and later learn it was a false claim, they`re going to decide perhaps none of the labels on those food products mean anything."
At best, it means wishy-washy health advice will suddenly appear on foods, confusing consumers, said Bruce Silverglade of the consumer advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest.
"This action represents the biggest rollback in food-labeling standards in 20 years," Silverglade said.
The Grocery Manufacturers of America says low-rated claims make sense in the wake of recent court rulings that allow more loosely regulated dietary supplements to make more far-reaching claims about health effects.
The budget-stretched FDA will give priority to a number of claims expected to win a good B-rating: The omega-3`s heart benefit; that products made with vegetable oils are more heart-healthy than those made with solid fats; that substituting nuts for other fatty proteins also is heart-healthy.
Source: Cleveland.com
