FTC Urges Development of Daily Value for Trans Fats

FTC Urges Development of Daily Value for Trans Fats

WASHINGTONDeveloping a dailyvalue (DV) for trans fat would be a positive step in helping consumers make moreinformed food choices, according to comments filed by the Federal TradeCommission (FTC) with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FTC was respondingto FDAs call for comments on whether a new methodology for deriving a DV fortrans fats was appropriate, and how such information should be presented onproduct labels.

The development of a daily value for trans fat willfacilitate the FDAs efforts to establish criteria for nutrient content claimsand health claims regarding trans fats, said Todd Zywicki, director of FTCsOffice of Policy Planning. These claims can play a critical role in informingconsumers so that they can choose healthier foods.

FTCs comments noted supplying separate DVs for trans fatand saturated fat would further consumer understanding of the two types of fat;however, if FDA concludes their impacts on the body are similar, FTC would haveno concern with a single DV. Copies of FTCs comments are available online (www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/04/foodlabeling.htm).