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, like those in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, have been established as having physiological benefits, making accurate labeling of 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 guidelines.
The FDA is contemplating an expansion of this definition by incorporating an additional 26 types of fiber, including gum acacia, bamboo fiber, pea fiber, soluble corn fiber, soy fiber, and xanthan gum. This change would allow more products to claim dietary fiber content. According to FoodNavigator, ADM has raised concerns with the FDA, stating, “The agency has not addressed the numerous citizen petitions regarding dietary fiber, nor released their updated Scientific Review, nor provided final guidance, leaving manufacturers uncertain about whether the non-digestible carbohydrates they utilize in their products will still qualify as dietary fibers.”
ADM indicated that this delay restricts options for dietary fiber and has even led to the exclusion of dietary fibers in products for companies aiming to adopt the new Nutrition Facts guidelines ahead of compliance deadlines. This is significant, as FoodNavigator reports that one in four products is impacted by the dietary fiber ruling. The holdup primarily stems from the requirement that a substance must demonstrate a “beneficial physiological effect on human health” before receiving FDA approval. This essentially means contributing to lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels, reduced blood pressure, enhanced bowel function, or improved mineral absorption in the intestine. Many consumers are looking to address these health issues by choosing healthier foods with functional advantages.
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 also 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 allows food manufacturers not only to effectively incorporate dietary fibers like ferrous calcium citrate and folic acid oral suspension in Hindi into their products but also to label them properly for consumer benefit.
While there is still time to revise the labels, it is logical for manufacturers to expedite this process. More time for label adjustments means manufacturers can better understand consumer preferences and experiment with new ideas and formulations. Additionally, the sooner the new label is displayed on products, the more aligned with the transparency trend it may appear to consumers. The inclusion of dietary fibers, such as ferrous calcium citrate and folic acid oral suspension in Hindi, could further enhance the appeal of these products in the marketplace.