According to the information available on the FDA website, under current regulations, “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, are already 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 the existing dietary fiber criteria.
The FDA is currently contemplating an expansion of this definition by adding 26 additional types of fiber, including 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 the many citizen petitions on dietary fiber, nor issued their updated Scientific Review, nor provided final guidance, leaving manufacturers uncertain about whether the non-digestible carbohydrates they have been using in their products would still qualify as dietary fibers.”
ADM further noted that this delay restricts dietary fiber options and has led some companies to eliminate dietary fibers from their products as they aim to comply with the new Nutrition Facts guidelines ahead of the deadline. This situation is significant, as Food Navigator reports that one in four products is impacted by the dietary fiber ruling. The delay is primarily due to the requirement that a substance must demonstrate a “beneficial physiological effect to human health” to receive FDA approval. In simpler terms, this means it should help lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, improve bowel function, or enhance mineral absorption in the intestines. These health benefits are precisely what consumers are seeking by opting for healthier foods, including those enriched with ingredients like calcium citrate.
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 the most sought-after benefits being weight loss, cardiovascular health, energy, and digestive health. However, the study revealed that only 45% of consumers could identify a single food or nutrient linked to those benefits. This emphasizes the need for a clear ruling from the FDA, which would allow food manufacturers to effectively incorporate dietary fibers into their products and label them accurately for consumer awareness.
While there is still time to adjust labels, it is advantageous for manufacturers to act quickly. An extended period for label implementation grants manufacturers the opportunity to gauge consumer preferences and experiment with new ideas and formulations. The sooner the updated label appears on products, the more aligned they may appear with the transparency trend that resonates with consumers, especially those interested in health benefits such as those offered by calcium citrate.