| November 2, 2004:
The Food and Drug Administration has given the olive oil
industry the go ahead to add a heart healthy claim to
their products. The FDA has okayed a new label that will
read, “ Limited and not conclusive scientific evidence
suggests that eating about two tablespoons (23 grams)
of olive oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart
disease due to the monounsaturated fat in olive oil. To
achieve this possible benefit, olive oil is to replace
a similar amount of saturated fat and not increase the
total number of calories you eat in a day.”
The approval is
significant in at least two ways. First it is one of
only two other cases in which the FDA has allowed a
qualified health claim to be printed on a label. It
also signifies a new understanding within the administration
about the battle against heart disease. Previous claims
focused singularly on lowering fat intake; the olive
oil claim recognizes the potential health benefits of
certain types of fats.
However, not all are happy with the decision critics
accuse the label of being confusing and too liberal
in its fat intake recommendation.
This story was originally printed in the New York Times.
Read the complete article at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/02/politics/02olive.html
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