FDA Might Expand Oat Health Claim

FDA has indicated that it might expand the regulations related to the label claim for foods that contain oats and the connection to coronary heart disease. As it currently stands, the regulations maintain a restriction on fat and cholesterol levels, and foods that exceed those levels cannot bear the label claim (see http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fdhclm.html for details). Beta-glucan, found in a range of natural foods like some grains and mushrooms, is a soluble fiber found to have a positive effect on heart health.

However, Quaker Oats Company, Chicago (a PepsiCo company), has petitioned FDA to expand restrictions on fat levels when said fat comes from whole-oat sources. The company pointed out in its petition that although its full-sugar instant oatmeal products can bear the health claim, its flavored, reduced-sugar products cannot because they dont meet FDAs requirements for low fat. The company maintains that these products only have a higher fat content because, by reducing sugar, the products contain more whole oatsand more inherent fat from whole oatsthan their full-sugar counterparts. The company is seeking to clarify the terms of the health claim to include foods that contain more fat due to high levels of whole-oat ingredients.

FDA has tentatively accepted the petition and is accepting comments. Visit http://www.regulations.gov and enter docket number FDA-2007-0059-0001 to review the Federal Register notice or post a comment.