FDA "allows" foods with omega-3 fatty acids to display heart disease health claim

• Conventional foods will henceforth be able to display a qualified health claim for omega-3 fatty acids - previously restricted to supplements - the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced yesterday.
• The FDA said that foods containing eiscosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids can now carry a qualified health claim stating that they may help to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
• "We believe it will do consumers a disservice if foods with insignificant amounts of these fatty acids carry the claim," she said.
• In 2000, the FDA announced a similar qualified health claim for dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids.
• Of all the functional food ingredients available, the future looks most promising for omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly in the US, according to recent research by consultancy firm Frost & Sullivan.
• The research commented that while the more mature European omega-3 PUFA market was likely to stabilise at an annual growth rate of eight percent, some key market participants in the US are experiencing growth rates of over 20 percent.
• "Increased media coverage and product availability have helped differentiate omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs from saturated fats, promoting omega-3 PUFAs as 'good fats', which are an essential part of the diet," she said.
• Scientific evidence is growing to substantiate the role of omega-3 PUFAs not only for protecting heart health but also prevention of cancer and other diseases.
• The ingredient has moreover seen support from low-carb diets such as Atkins, which promotes omega-3 fatty acids as part of their eating plans.