Originally published November 27 2005
FDA will not allow tomato products to carry claims of cancer-related benefits
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Food and Drug Administration found the evidence of tomatoes' health benefits presented by the American Longevity and Lycopene Health Claim Coalition to be inconclusive and ruled against any such health claims being put on the packages or labeling of tomatoes or tomato by-products.
Producers of tomatoes, tomato sauce and dietary supplements containing lycopene - the substance that makes tomatoes red - will not be allowed to advertise claims that they reduce the risk of many forms of cancer.
The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday that it will allow only a few limited health claims to appear on packages of tomatoes and tomato sauce.
The ruling were in response to petitions from American Longevity, which makes health products, and the Lycopene Health Claim Coalition, a group that includes ketchup manufacturer H.J. Heinz Co.
The groups contend the lycopene within tomatoes reduces the risk of a number of cancers, including prostate, colon and breast cancer.
"The FDA decision greatly misleads the American consumer," said Steve Wallach, general manager of American Longevity, in a statement.
Still, the agency authorized four tomato-related claims to be used on product labels, saying there was "very limited credible evidence" they provide a health benefit.
_Prostate cancer: "Very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that eating one-half to one cup of tomatoes and/or tomato sauce a week may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
FDA concludes that there is little scientific evidence supporting the claim."
_Gastric cancer: "Four studies did not show that tomato intake reduces the risk of gastric cancer, but three studies suggest that tomato intake may reduce this risk.
_Ovarian cancer: "One study suggests that consumption of tomato sauce 2 times per week may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer; while this same study shows that consumption of tomatoes or tomato juice had no effect on ovarian cancer risk.
_Pancreatic cancer: "One study suggests that consuming tomatoes does not reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer, but one weaker, more limited study suggests that consuming tomatoes may reduce this risk.
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