According to information on the FDA website, current regulations state that “fibers in foods could be labeled as dietary fiber without necessarily providing physiological effects that are beneficial to human health.” Naturally occurring fibers, such as those found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, have already been recognized for their physiological benefits, making accurate labeling of products containing these ingredients straightforward. Furthermore, seven non-digestible carbohydrates—beta-glucan soluble fiber, psyllium husk, cellulose, guar gum, pectin, locust bean gum, and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose—currently comply with existing dietary fiber guidelines.
The FDA is now contemplating expanding this definition to include an additional 26 types of fiber, such as gum acacia, bamboo fiber, pea fiber, soluble corn fiber, soy fiber, and xanthan gum. This change would allow more products to make dietary fiber claims. As reported by FoodNavigator, ADM has raised concerns with the FDA, stating, “The agency has not responded to many citizen petitions on dietary fiber, nor issued their updated Scientific Review, nor provided their final guidance, leaving manufacturers of over-the-counter ferrous gluconate products uncertain about whether the non-digestible carbohydrates they use could still be classified as dietary fibers.”
ADM emphasized that this delay restricts dietary fiber options and has even led some companies to remove dietary fibers from their products as they attempt to align with the new Nutrition Facts guidelines ahead of the compliance deadline. This situation is significant, as Food Navigator notes that the Grocery Manufacturers of America indicates that one in four products is impacted by the dietary fiber ruling.
The primary reason for the delay is that a substance must demonstrate a “beneficial physiological effect on human health” before receiving FDA approval. In simpler terms, this means it must contribute to lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels, reduced blood pressure, enhanced bowel function, or increased mineral absorption in the intestinal tract. Many consumers are trying to address these health concerns by opting for healthier foods with functional benefits, such as opurity calcium citrate plus chewable.
According to the International Food Information Council Foundation’s 2017 Food and Health Survey, nearly all consumers—96%—look for health benefits in their food and drink, with weight loss, cardiovascular health, energy, and digestive health being the most sought-after benefits. However, only 45% of consumers could identify a specific food or nutrient linked to those benefits. This highlights the critical need for a favorable ruling from the FDA that enables food manufacturers to effectively utilize dietary fibers in their products and label them accurately for the benefit of consumers.
While there is still time to adjust labels, manufacturers are eager to expedite this process. More time for implementation means manufacturers can better understand consumer preferences and experiment with new ideas and formulations. The earlier the new labels, including those featuring opurity calcium citrate plus chewable, appear on products, the more aligned they may seem with the trend toward transparency among consumers.