November 25, 2005 – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rejected cancer claims about lycopene, an antioxidant that gives tomatoes their characteristic red color. Studies have already revealed the protective effects of lycopene from food sources against different cancers. But the FDA, which says it took them into consideration, did not consider this to be sufficient evidence.
American producers of tomatoes and tomato sauce will therefore only be able to make very limited claims about the reduction of cancer risk associated with their products. Thus ruled the FDA, the body which, in the United States, evaluates the health claims that are placed on food products.
When it comes to prostate cancer, however, companies may mention the potential preventative effects of consuming half a cup to a cup of tomatoes or tomato sauce per week (125 ml to 250 ml). This health claim must however be accompanied by the following statement: “The FDA concludes that there is little scientific evidence to support this claim”.
They may also use other health claims – more restrictive – about tomato sauce and ovarian cancer, tomatoes and stomach cancer as well as tomatoes and pancreatic cancer. “Four studies have not shown that eating tomatoes reduces the risk of stomach cancer, but three other studies do. Based on these results, the FDA concludes that tomatoes are unlikely to reduce the risk of stomach cancer, ”says one of them, for example.
Lycopene supplement maker American Longevity is threatening to sue the FDA on the grounds that it has evidence that lycopene reduces cancer risk and is right to tell the public.
The Dr Michael Thun of the American Cancer Society approves the FDA’s decision. Asserting that a specific substance in a food – such as lypocene for tomatoes – explains its health effect is rather risky, according to him. Foods are indeed made up of complex compounds, the secrets of which we do not know. He also believes that the same nutrient no longer has the same value when taken as a food or as a supplement.
Guy Sabourin and Johanne Lauzon – PasseportSanté.net
According to CBS, Yahoo News, HealthDay.
