National Consumers League Praises FDA for Allowing Omega-3 Fatty Acids Nutrient Content Info

Release Date: May 26, 2004
Contact: 202-835-3323, media@nclnet.org

Washington , DC —The National Consumers League (NCL) today praised the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its decision to allow nutrient content claims so that consumers can learn which foods are rich in specific types of omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 Fatty acids, which are found in such foods as salmon, mackerel, cod liver oil, flaxseed, canola oil, and avocados, offer a range of health benefits from the prevention of heart disease to long-term memory retention, and improved eye and skin health. However, because the body does not produce sufficient amounts of these fatty acids on its own, consumers who wish to enjoy the health benefits must supplement their diets with these nutrients. To help consumers make it easier to enrich their diets, NCL urged FDA to allow nutrient content claims on foods containing specific omega-3 fatty acids with scientifically established health benefits.

Earlier this year, the consumer group asked FDA to accept a notification filed with the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to permit content claims for scientifically studied omega-3 fatty acids, in particular DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). In taking this step, NCL relied on findings of the American Heart Association and a September 2002 Institute of Medicine Report demonstrating that DHA and EPA can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, the nation’s leading cause of death.

“FDA’s action is good news for all consumers who are interested in adding more foods containing health-promoting DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids into their diets,” said NCL’s president Linda Golodner. “At a time when research is showing the potential for these omega-3 fatty acids to improve health and well-being, FDA’s action will give consumers the specific information they need.”

NCL also observed that FDA’s action sends a clear signal that approving new nutrient content claims and health claims for labeling is an important tool for educating consumers about the nutritional benefits of foods. “Consumers have the right to translate the conclusions of scientific data into better purchasing decisions, but they need help to do so,” Golodner said. “The FDA’s use of a streamlined notification procedure to provide consumers with timely health information for better nutrition is a step in the right direction.”

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The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to identify, protect, represent, and advance the economic and social interests of consumers and workers. NCL is a private, nonprofit membership organization. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

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