Walnuts are DRUGS! FDA makes bizarre claim after seller says they 'reduce risk of heart disease and cancer' | Mail Online

February 2, 2012

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Walnuts are DRUGS! FDA makes bizarre claim after seller says they 'reduce risk of heart disease and cancer'

By Bentley

Last updated at 6:53 AM on 26th July 2011

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Hard drugs? The FDA allegedly classed walnuts as a drug because of claims they are good for your health

They may just be the hardest drugs on the market, if the FDA are to be believed.A company which sells walnuts has been told they are dealing in drugs because their packaging suggests health benefits which the Food and Drug Administration has not approved, it has been reported.A fiercely-worded letter from the agency allegedly insisted Diamond Foods, from Stockton, California, remove the health claims or send off for a new drug application if it did not wish to be closed down.The nut company has been selling its products with packaging which states the omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer.But while the claims are backed up by research, including 35 published medical papers supporting assertions that eating walnuts improves vascular health and may reduce risk of heart attacks, the FDA is said to have insisted the company is 'misbranding' its foods because the 'product bears health claims that are not authorised by the FDA'.The letter from the FDA reportedly stated: 'We have determined that your walnut products are promoted for conditions that cause them to be drugs because these products are intended for use in the prevention, mitigation, and treatment of disease.'

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It went on to emphasise that the nuts are 'misbranded' because they 'are offered for conditions that are not amenable to self-diagnosis and treatment by individuals who are not medical practitioners.'Therefore, adequate directions for use cannot be written so that a layperson can use these drugs safely for their intended purposes.'Critics have slammed the FDA for the supposedly 'tyrannical' manner in which they have accused the walnut sellers of dealing in drugs. Faloon, from Life Extension Magazine, said: 'The FDA’s language resembles that of an out-of-control police state where tyranny [reigns] over rationality.'This kind of bureaucratic tyranny sends a strong signal to the food industry not to innovate in a way that informs the public about foods that protect against disease.'While consumers increasingly reach for healthier dietary choices, the federal government wants to deny food companies the ability to convey findings from scientific studies about their products.'

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"It went on to emphasise that the nuts are 'misbranded' because they 'are offered for conditions that are not amenable to self-diagnosis and treatment by individuals who are not medical practitioners."

Er.... doesn't Quaker Oats or Cheerios or somesuch do the same?

:?

MJM

- J. McFadden, Philadelphia, USA, 28/7/2011 03:34

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Just wait until Obamascare kicks in! All of the 'health foods' will fall under that umbrella and will be regulated. If you think it's all about health care, think again. Or better yet, actually start thinking!

And from London, we in America don't consider the FDA anything resembling experts. Those of us who are actually thinking, want little to do with them. They're the same ones who gave us fluoride in city drinking water and in our toothpaste. And then put a warning label on it!

- Kent, Bozeman, USA, 28/7/2011 02:00

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It's a good thing that I use the list of what the FDA has approved in the past 20 years to determine what I WILL NOT purchase, and use their list of bad food to determine what I will buy. If they say something is good for you, then it's probably bad.

If they say it's bad for you, then chances are it's really healthy and good food.

- JuseMeDan, Tennessee, USA, 28/7/2011 01:59

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Just wait 'til Obamascare goes into effect. If you really think that has anything to do with health care, you need to start thinking. All 'health food' will fall under that umbrella and will be regulated.

- Kent, Bozeman, USA, 28/7/2011 01:52

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You better your your drinks, most have aspartame, or called saccharin or called asalfame k, or called sucralose.. under so many names, yet it is bad for your health and makes holes in your brain....

wait to we are all subjected to GM FOOD, then then is no going back , so act now.... bet this dont go on DM list

- nip, london, 27/7/2011 16:16

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I would normally say something like "unbelievable" but it's the FDA, these are the same people that brought you the "healthy alternative to sugar" aspartame; which is toxic.

- Art , San , TX, 27/7/2011 15:44

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so are cheerios a drug too since it is said to lower cholesterol?? or will they allow it because it is ultimately a poisonous substance?

- justapersonlikeyou, theworldinwhichwelive, 27/7/2011 08:50

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Wait until the FDA finds out that USDA is telling us to eat healthful foods. And they've even gone as far as to tell us how many servings a day we should have. Wouldn't that classify all healthful foods as drugs?! We'd be required to remove all natural occurring foods and eat only processed things. Or get a prescription for the fruits and vegetables we grow. God help the USA.

- praying for my country, PA, USA, 26/7/2011 12:40

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Ah! the American 'experts' are at it again !

Shame for them, that most of us take no notice, isn't it ?

- paul, london, 26/7/2011 11:52

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