Thursday September 6

Press Release

SOURCE: National Nutritional Foods Association

Statement From the NNFA Coalition for Informative Carbohydrate Labeling

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is being issued by the NNFA Coalition for Informative Carbohydrate Labeling:

American consumers have become increasingly aware of the relationship between consumption of dietary carbohydrates and increased blood sugar levels. Elevated blood sugar levels can cause increased insulin production, which may lead to weight gain and complicate other health problems, including diabetes.

In order to address these concerns, manufacturers have developed a product category formulated with glycerin or similar ``low-glycemic'' substances designed for persons on specific diets, such as low carbohydrate regimens. There are no specific regulations on the nutritional status of glycerin, which is chemically different from traditional carbohydrates, such as sugars or starches, and metabolizes differently.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet formulated regulations or definitions on this issue. In the meantime, there are limited ways for manufacturers to communicate on labels that particular ingredients and products have a minimal impact on blood sugar levels. Currently, any ingredient that is not analytically assayed as a protein or fat using standard methods is assigned a carbohydrate status, according to FDA. This broad definition can lead to confusion in the marketplace.

The NNFA Coalition for Informative Carbohydrate Labeling has brought several labeling solutions to FDA to address these concerns and eliminate consumers' confusion. Although the Coalition's proposals are entirely consistent with the underlying objectives of the Nutritional Labeling and Education Act, FDA has refused to consider our nutrition-labeling proposals and supporting science at this time. While we are disappointed with FDA's response, Coalition members have agreed on a labeling approach that we believe will be acceptable to the Agency while still allowing for the use of truthful, non-misleading and substantiated statements regarding carbohydrates on a product label.

The Coalition believes such statements are necessary in order to educate consumers about the ingredients in their products. The National Nutritional Foods Association will publish these recommendations for use by the industry.

The National Nutritional Foods Association (http://www.nnfa.org ) is the nation's largest and oldest non-profit organization dedicated to the natural products industry. The organization is comprised of nearly 4,000 retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of natural products, including foods, dietary supplements and health and beauty aids. NNFA is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, has eight regional offices throughout the United States and is governed by a 22-member board of directors representing all segments of the industry.

SOURCE: National Nutritional Foods Association

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