Update on Health Claims for Food
Have you noticed the variety of health claims made for particular foods, and food groups? It seems like everything we eat has some value added, and "good for __________" [fill in the blank of heart, brain, digestion, aging, and more]. What you may not know is that the Food and Drug Administration is cracking down on a lot of these health claims, with new regulations that require approval from the FDA prior to making them.
Just this week, the FDA rejected the petitions asking for a health claim for tomatoes and lycopene (the nutrient thought to be most active) in reducing cancer risk. We've all heard so much about lycopene (a type of carotenoid in the Vitamin A family) in supposedly helping to reduce the risk of many types of cancer. But where is the evidence? It seems the FDA, after a comprehensive review of the medical literature on tomatoes/lycopene for reducing cancer risk, just did NOT support this specific health claim.
What does this mean to consumers? Tomatoes are full of nutrients, and an important part of the "Five A Day" recommendation for fruits and vegetables and part of a balanced diet. While no one can say FOR SURE that there is not some connection between eating tomatoes and somehow reducing disease risk (including cancer), there is not yet enough medical evidence to say this on a label or in advertising.
Other foods have been put to the test. You may notice that oatmeal DOES have the labeling as being good for heart health, as enough studies convinced the FDA that this is so. Green tea, while a healthful choice for many reasons, CANNOT carry a disease-specific prevention label.
New medical research continues to identify additional health promoters in different foods that we already know are healthful - think fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish. This supports the "value added" of consuming a healthful diet. The advice I give my patients, and follow myself is to aim for unprocessed foods. The basics of healthy eating do not change:
- Eat an abundance of colorful fruits and vegetables
- Choose fiber rich whole grains
- Select lean protein (animal and plant sources)
- Include heart healthy fats
Healthy eating is the best "health claim" of all. What do you think?
Related information on iVillage:
Cereals Step Up to Better Nutrition
Food Nutrition Labels a Puzzle? Here's Help
Fruits and Vegetables: How to Get Your 5 a Day!
Comments
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Whether or not the FDA approves the "good for _____" statement isn't going to affect consumers more than it'll benefit advertisers.
I just think that companies put dribble on the front of their packages and hope (or have studies supporting it) that consumers won't read the ingredients list, or even know what to look for an what not to look for if they do. One cereal claims that they support heart health. That may be, but I'm not going to buy something that is "healthy", but has several sugar listings, including corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup and other fake stuff. If whole oats and potassium do help (as the box says, with the American Heart Association label on it), then I'll have a banana and a bowl of oatmeal, sugar free. If I want maple flavoring, I'll add real maple syrup.
Other products claim whole grain on the front, but the first ingredient is enriched wheat flour. I've had to read through "stuff" just to find the whole grain listing.
However, if companies relied on people like me, they would be broke.
Reading and understanding food labels is extremely important.
See a homeopathic or a naturapathic doctor for your health care needs and concerns.
JUST SAY NO to ALL DRUGS whether generally accepted or not.
