FDA will not allow tomato products to carry claims of cancer-related benefits

• 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.