July 14, 2003 – In the United States, the all-powerful Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announces an immediate relaxation of the labeling of health products, which angered consumer groups.
Until now, any health benefit associated with a product by its manufacturer had to be based on scientific consensus. But with the new rules, which come into effect on September 1, manufacturers will be able to draw their “evidence” from a multitude of sources.
All of their claims will continue to be evaluated by the FDA. This will now endorse them using a new lettering system, from an “A” reflecting the existence of solid scientific evidence to a “D” indicating the opposite, which will be found on the packaging.1.
The new rules will also apply to food, which will allow, for example, nut producers to promote the benefits of their products in preventing cardiovascular disease.
Consumer advocacy groups are outraged and say the new system will only cause confusion. Some politicians say the new rules could be illegal. But the FDA defends itself by saying that consumers will have access to more information with the new way of doing things, which could make them responsible for their health.
Paradoxically, this FDA decision comes shortly after the agency announced its intention to require food companies to indicate on the packaging the amount of trans fat contained in their products (see the article from PasseportSanté.net on this subject, dated July 4, 2003).
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to Washington Post; July 14, 2003.
1. Link to FDA press release: www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00923.html
