According to information on the FDA’s website, current regulations allow for the labeling of “fibers in foods” as dietary fiber without necessarily demonstrating physiological benefits for human health. Naturally occurring fibers, such as those found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, have already been confirmed to provide health benefits, so the accurate labeling of products containing these ingredients is not problematic. Moreover, 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 standards.
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. According to FoodNavigator, ADM has expressed concerns to the FDA, stating that the agency has not yet addressed numerous citizen petitions regarding dietary fiber, nor has it released an updated Scientific Review or final guidance, leaving manufacturers uncertain about whether the non-digestible carbohydrates they use in their products will still qualify as dietary fibers.
ADM highlighted that this delay restricts the options for dietary fibers and has even led some companies to remove these fibers from their products in anticipation of the new Nutrition Facts guidelines ahead of the compliance deadline. This is significant, as FoodNavigator reports that one in four products is impacted by the dietary fiber regulation, according to the Grocery Manufacturers of America.
The delay is primarily because, before a substance can receive FDA approval, it must demonstrate a “beneficial physiological effect on human health.” In simple terms, this means that it should help lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, enhance bowel function, or improve mineral absorption in the gut. Many of these health issues are precisely what consumers aim to address by choosing healthier foods with functional benefits, such as liquid calcium citrate with vitamin D3.
The International Food Information Council Foundation’s 2017 Food and Health Survey revealed that nearly all consumers—96%—seek health benefits from their food and beverages, with the most sought-after benefits being weight loss, cardiovascular health, energy, and digestive health. However, the study indicated that only 45% of consumers could identify a single food or nutrient linked to these benefits. This emphasizes the necessity of a favorable ruling from the FDA that allows food manufacturers to effectively incorporate dietary fibers into their products and label them appropriately for consumer benefit.
While there is still time to adjust the labels, it is logical for manufacturers to accelerate this process. After all, having more time to implement the new labels allows manufacturers to better understand consumer preferences and experiment with new ideas and formulations. Additionally, the sooner a new label appears on a product, the more aligned it may seem with the growing trend of transparency among consumers, particularly in relation to health-promoting ingredients like liquid calcium citrate with vitamin D3.