American Heart Association Applauds FDA for Helping Consumers Make Healthier Diet Choices

7/10/2003

From: Kelly Kennai, 202-785-7900 (Washington D.C.) Darcy Spitz, 212-878-5940 (New York) both of the American Heart Association

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- New guidance issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today should help consumers make more informed choices about the foods they buy, according to the American Heart Association.

A report released by the FDA outlines a new regulatory process for the agency to approve health claims for foods and dietary supplements and give consumers more accurate, science-based information about the health consequences of these products.

"Consumers are bombarded with health claims everywhere they go -- in grocery stores and in the media," said Alice Lichtenstein, D.SC., vice-chairperson of the American Heart Association's Nutrition Committee and a professor of Nutrition at the Friedman School of Nutrition at Tufts University in Boston. "It is often confusing, if not impossible, to figure out which claims have merit. This FDA guidance will help consumers sift through the noise by providing useful information that will allow them to make food choices that could help prevent heart disease, stroke and other chronic illnesses."

Lichtenstein said that the American Heart Association applauds the FDA's overall efforts to help improve health and combat rising obesity rates by improving the information included on food labels. This includes the initiation of the new health claim guidelines, along with the agency's recent announcement to disclose the amount of trans fats on food product labels.

While the Association is supportive of the new guidelines, which will take effect on Sept. 1, it encourages the FDA to conduct research into how the new system will impact consumers so the health claim messages can continue to be fine-tuned. "Right now, we aren't sure what kind of language is most effective when communicating health claims," Lichtenstein said. "We need to make sure that consumers understand what the claims mean and then adjust the system accordingly as we learn more."

Lichetenstein also said that the American Heart Association is pleased to see the FDA's renewed commitment to enforcement against false and misleading health claims. Over the past several months, the FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have stepped up efforts to clamp down on companies who make unsubstantiated or misleading claims. The new guidelines will reinforce that effort. The Association also applauds the FTC for taking part in the development of these guidelines and is encouraged that the two agencies are working together.

"Rising obesity rates in this country have really drawn attention to the role food manufacturers play in helping consumers make better nutritional choices," continued Lichtenstein. "We hope these new guidelines serve as an incentive for manufacturers to provide more scientifically accurate information and, hopefully, healthier products, so Americans have the tools they need to make better decisions about the foods they eat."