The FDA and EFAs

[Guest guest]

This came out last nite and while not directly related to CR-ON, I thought the

comment in regard to the FDA still not considering EPA and DHA as being

" essential " fatty acids was relevant to a recent discussion on the list..

" FDA has concluded that while these particular fatty acids [EPA, DHA] are not

essential to the diet they may be beneficial in reducing coronary heart

disease, " said FDA acting commissioner Lester Crawford.

Jeff

FDA OKs omega-3 heart claims on foods

Labels will be able to list content of two fatty acids

By Jon Bonné

MSNBC

Updated: 6:09 p.m. ET Sept. 8, 2004

Food companies can now make certain claims about the heart-healthy

benefits of omega-3 fatty acids on their packages, the Food and Drug

Administration said Wednesday.

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The decision by federal regulators not only provides what is

effectively an additional endorsement of these so-called " healthy

fats, " but will allow consumers to more easily identify brand-name

products that contain them.

" FDA has concluded that while these particular fatty acids are not

essential to the diet they may be beneficial in reducing coronary heart

disease, " said FDA acting commissioner Lester Crawford.

While the agency limited the claims to two omega-3 acids known as EPA

and DHA, these two fatty acids are frequently touted for their

potential health benefits. A third fatty acid found in some leafy

vegetables and vegetable-based oils, alpha-linoleic acid, was not

included.

Qualified health claims

The agency said it determined there was enough scientific evidence to

allow companies to make what are known as qualified health claims,

which can be included on food labels based on a preponderance of

research results and usually refer to a specific health benefit. The

new claims can be used immediately.

In the case of these omega-3s, the FDA will allow claims that discuss

heart health. The claim will allow language on packages along these

lines: " Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption

of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary

heart disease, " in addition to listing the content, by serving, of EPA

and DHA in a particular food.

Earlier this month, one study also pinpointed DHA as potentially

helpful in reducing the effects of Alzheimer's and similar diseases.

These omega-3 acids are found in many oily fish, including salmon,

tuna, trout and herring, as well as some wild game and grass-fed meat,

and in some enhanced eggs.

But packaged-foods companies have increasingly been looking to

supplement products such as breakfast cereal with the omega-3s, which

have also been available for years in supplement form.

" Telling a story about your product being good for health versus

defending yourself against all those trans fats and carbohydrates is

something they're anxious to do, " says Tim Ramey, a food analyst with

investment firm D.A. son & Co.

Among the companies that lobbied the FDA in favor of the claim was

Kraft, which indicated its interest in the claims on salad dressings

and mayonnaise.

Companies cannot make the claims if their foods exceed 13 grams of

total fat or 60 mg of cholesterol per serving, the FDA said.

No more than 3 grams a day from food

In announcing the new claim, the agency suggested that Americans limit

their intake of the two fatty acids to no more than 3 grams a day from

food, or 2 grams from a supplement. It did not endorse any particular

method or food as most beneficial in providing them.

" We're not trying to compare a supplement versus conventional food, "

said Barbara Schneeman, who directs the nutritional products and

labeling office at the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied

Nutrition.

Research suggests that as little as 250 to 500 mg per day of these fats

may be effective, said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a heart researcher at

Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School who has studied

the benefits of fatty fish.

Mozaffarian noted it would be difficult to consume the FDA's suggested

limit merely by eating seafood. " That's a huge amount of fish, " he

said.

A major petitioner for the claim was Martek Biosciences Corporation,

which manufactures a form of DHA made from algae, and markets it as a

way to get the health benefits of omega-3 acids without eating fish.

Companies like Martek may benefit as food manufacturers seek out

ingredients that allow them to incorporate the fatty acids into new

products.

Based on evidence that the long-chain omega-3 acids - DHA and EPA -

can help children's eye and brain growth, baby formula supplemented

with the omega-3s has surged in popularity during the past two years.

Kid-friendly products like yogurt may be targeted for the supplements,

and Kellogg's has reportedly tested an omega-3 cereal.

In 2000, the FDA approved a similar claim about dietary supplements

containing omega-3s, saying they could help reduce the risk of heart

disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the United States.

Nearly 1 million Americans die of heart disease and related ailments

each year.

Wednesday's announcement marked the second time the agency has approved

a qualified claim for food since it began considering them last year.

In March, the agency said companies could put language on their labels

indicating that walnuts helped reduce the risk of heart disease for

people controlling their intake of saturated fats and cholesterol.

Previously, health claims for food required far more detailed research

before the FDA approved their use on food labels. The qualified claims

were designed as a way to shorten the process and more quickly provide

consumers with information on potential health benefits, though some

critics believe the review process should be more thorough.