According to information 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 in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, have been established to provide physiological benefits, making accurate labeling of products containing these ingredients a non-issue. Furthermore, seven non-digestible carbohydrates—including beta-glucan soluble fiber, psyllium husk, cellulose, guar gum, pectin, locust bean gum, and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose—currently meet the existing dietary fiber guidelines. The FDA is now contemplating expanding this definition by including an additional 26 types of fiber, such as gum acacia, bamboo fiber, pea fiber, soluble corn fiber, soy fiber, and xanthan gum, which would allow more products to claim dietary fiber content.
As reported by 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 incorporated into their products will 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 aim to proactively comply with the new Nutrition Facts guidelines before the deadline. This issue is significant, as FoodNavigator cites that the Grocery Manufacturers of America indicates one in four products is impacted by the dietary fiber ruling.
The delay primarily stems from the requirement that any substance must demonstrate a “beneficial physiological effect to human health” prior to receiving FDA approval. In simple terms, this means contributing to lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels, reducing blood pressure, enhancing bowel function, or increasing mineral absorption in the intestinal tract. Many consumers are striving to address these health conditions by selecting healthier foods, which often include functional benefits such as liquid calcium citrate with vitamin D3.
According to the International Food Information Council Foundation’s 2017 Food and Health Survey, nearly all consumers—96%—seek health benefits from their food and beverages, with weight loss, cardiovascular health, energy, and digestive health being the most desired outcomes. However, only 45% of consumers could identify a specific food or nutrient linked to these benefits. This highlights the critical need for a favorable ruling from the FDA that would allow food manufacturers to effectively incorporate dietary fibers into their products and label them appropriately for consumer advantage.
While there is still time to modify the label, it is sensible for manufacturers to expedite this process. After all, the sooner the new label is introduced, the more opportunity manufacturers have to understand consumer preferences and experiment with new ideas and formulations. Additionally, an early appearance of the updated label on products could enhance consumer perceptions of transparency, especially as consumers increasingly look for items that offer health benefits, such as liquid calcium citrate with vitamin D3.