RE: : New system would allow `qualified' health claims on food labels in United States

[Guest guest]

methinks this is another SCAM by the Industry to take over the " natural food

market " which has steadily grown.

 

This gives these guys more ammo to sell their products on children TV. - if

there is such a thing now-a-days as children TV (

 

Most of these products are pure sugar, salt , fat and often caffeine.

Di'ya think adding 25% of the RDA makes it healthy!!!!

 

Why not label the RDA of SUGAR ????

Their concerned about your health = They offer 25% less Sugar .... WOW !

that's healthy -not.

 

Sad,

 

Ed Kasper LAc, Santa Cruz, CA

 

 

 

 

 

Tue, 15 Jul 2003 22:37:30 -0000

" " <attiliodalberto

New system would allow `qualified' health claims on food labels in

United States

 

WASHINGTON (AP) - 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 Thursday 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,'' said FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan. ``Americans

shouldn't need a science degree to figure out how foods can fit into

a healthy diet. Information should be accurate, honest and easy to

understand.''

 

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 new program - backed by food manufacturers - 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 the kind 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 right next to a

short disclaimer that describes the level of proof. Whether the

letter grade itself also will go on packages is still 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. ``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,'' said Silverglade. His group is talking with

Waxman about a possible legal challenge.

 

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 influential Consumer Federation of America agrees that the court

pressure is real, and says the FDA's new program would probably

safeguard against abuse.

 

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. Various health groups, such as the

American Heart Association, already make some of those

recommendations.

 

Other examples - some controversial - the food industry expects to

seek: That the antioxidant lycopene, rich in cooked tomato products,

can prevent prostate cancer; that lowfat dairy products lower blood

pressure; that fiber prevents colon cancer; that compounds in grapes

are heart-healthy.

 

McClellan thinks few manufacturers would bother advertising low-

rated claims, instead doing better research or making a product

healthier.

 

``You'd have to do a lot better than a 'C' to attract consumers to

your product,'' he said. ``Good nutrition should also be good

business.''

 

 

 

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