By George Anderson
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an announcement detailing the agency's plan to ease the criteria for companies wishing to make health claims for products, according to the Washington Post.
Food and Drug Commissioner Mark McClellan said the new policy makes sense based on the issues of the day. "There's good competition now in the marketplace on price and taste and ease of preparation, but the number one area of competition should be the health consequences of a food product," he said. "This is aimed at making companies want to develop healthy products and to do the science that supports their health claims."
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) is calling it "an important step forward," although it expressed reservations about some aspects of the announced plan.
Rep. Henry Waxman, (D-Calif.) disagrees and charges the new policy "makes a mockery of food labels."
Moderator's Comment: What are your thoughts on the FDA's proposed policy changes for products making health claims?
We're willing to take the chance with the FDA. If products do not live up to their claims, it won't take long before a roar and ruckus goes up and consumers stop purchasing a product just as they've done with items covered by the previous rules.
The FDA isn't abdicating responsibility, it is simply offering that it will give consideration to a wider range of research when making decisions on the health claims made by a product's manufacturer. [George Anderson - Moderator]