FUNCTIONAL FOODS FOR HEALTH BENEFITS

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WASHINGTON, D.C., July 19, 2000—Functional foods are conventional foods to which specific ingredients have been added, for their health benefits. These include products such as juices fortified with calcium, cereals with added fiber, and beverages high in antioxidants. "Functional foods are like dietary supplements in that they can provide substantial health benefits for the consumer, when properly formulated and truthfully promoted," said Dr. Annette Dickinson, VP for Scientific and Regulatory Affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association representing the dietary supplement industry.

Some marketers have added herbal ingredients to foods, and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) recently challenged these products, expressing concern about safety and the truthfulness of label claims. CRN is not aware of any reported safety problems with functional foods, but if such problems exist or if label claims are not supported, FDA has full authority to take action under current provisions of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

"CRN and the dietary supplement industry look forward to working cooperatively with the food industry, consumer groups, health professionals, FDA, and state regulators to assure that functional foods as well as dietary supplements are safe, that they are truthfully labeled, and that they deliver the health benefits consumers have every right to expect," said Dr. Dickinson.