FDA Adds Exemption to Fiber Health Claim

FDA has announced that it is amending its regulation authorizing a health claim on the relationship between soluble fiber from certain foods and risk of coronary heart disease. The amendment exempts certain foods from the nutrient-content requirement of “low fat.” The exemption will apply if the food exceeds the “low fat” requirement due to fat content derived from whole-oat sources. The amendment expands the use of this health claim to some whole-oat products that are currently ineligible for the health claim.

FDA is taking this action in response to a petition submitted by the Quaker Oats Co.

This final rule is effective May 1, 2008. For complete details, see today’s notice in the Federal Register.