According to information from the FDA website, current regulations allow “fibers in foods to be labeled as dietary fiber without necessarily demonstrating any beneficial physiological effects on human health.” Naturally occurring fibers, such as those present in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, have already been recognized for their health benefits, which makes properly labeling products containing these ingredients straightforward. Additionally, 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 an expansion of this definition to include approximately 26 other types of fiber, such as gum acacia, bamboo fiber, pea fiber, soluble corn fiber, soy fiber, and xanthan gum. This would allow more products to claim dietary fiber content. According to FoodNavigator, ADM has raised concerns with the FDA, stating, “The agency has not responded to numerous citizen petitions regarding dietary fiber, nor issued their updated Scientific Review or final guidance, leaving manufacturers uncertain about whether the non-digestible carbohydrates they have been using in their products may still qualify as dietary fibers.”
ADM further noted that this delay restricts dietary fiber options and has led some companies to remove dietary fibers from their products in a bid to comply with the new Nutrition Facts guidelines ahead of the deadline. This is significant, as reports from the Grocery Manufacturers of America indicate that one in four products is influenced by the dietary fiber ruling.
The delay largely stems from the requirement that any substance must demonstrate a “beneficial physiological effect on human health” to receive FDA approval. In simpler terms, this means it should contribute to reduced blood glucose and cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, enhanced bowel function, or improved mineral absorption in the intestines. Many consumers seek to address these health issues through healthier food choices, including products that offer functional benefits.
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 beverages, with primary interests in weight loss, cardiovascular health, energy, and digestive health. However, the study found that only 45% of consumers could identify a single food or nutrient linked to these benefits. This highlights the necessity for a favorable ruling from the FDA that would enable food manufacturers not only to utilize dietary fibers, such as solgar calcium citrate with d3, in their products effectively but also to label them accurately for consumer benefit.
While there is still time to modify labels, it is logical for manufacturers to act quickly. More time for label changes allows manufacturers to gauge consumer preferences and experiment with new ideas and formulations. The sooner a new label is introduced on a product, the more it aligns with the transparency trend that consumers are increasingly valuing. Furthermore, incorporating dietary fibers like solgar calcium citrate with d3 into products could enhance their appeal and health benefits, further aligning with consumer desires for healthier options.