Snack Foods Containing Olestra No Longer Need Warning Label

Snack foods containing olestra will no longer have to carry a warning on their labels that the fat substitute may cause stomach problems.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Aug. 1 that it had rescinded its seven-year-old requirement after determining that the warning was not warranted.

Upon approving olestra for use in 1996 in snack foods, the FDA required products containing the fat substitute to state on their labels that it might cause abdominal cramping and loose stools in some individuals.

In its newest order, the FDA concluded that the label statement was not warranted because studies on the consumption of products containing olestra showed that it caused only infrequent and mild gastrointestinal effects.

According to the agency, a six-week study of more than 3,000 people showed that those who ate olestra-containing chips experienced only a minor increase in the frequency of bowel movements compared to people who ate regular full-fat chips.

The FDA will continue to require manufacturers to add vitamins A, D, E and K to olestra products and to state that the additives are necessary because the fat substitute is dietarily insignificant in these areas.

Procter & Gamble, which markets olestra under the brand name of Olean, welcomed the FDA decision and said the fat substitute has been shown to be a helpful part of the diet of those attempting to manage their fat and calorie intake.

Greg Allgood, associate director of Procter & Gamble's Health Sciences Institute, said the decision confirms what millions of consumers already have concluded for themselves and provides additional confidence to the millions of people who are enjoying low and fat-free snacks made with Olean.

Other sources: FDA