Making claims for carbs
other carbohydrate claims, according to consumer and trade groups,
so that food companies responding to the current diet craze compete
on equal ground.
While labeling rules exist for nutrient claims like 'reduced fat' and 'low-calorie', the FDA has not defined 'low-carb', 'reduced carb', or 'carb-free', which makes those claims illegal, claims the consumer campaign group the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
Some of the country's biggest food manufacturers have responded to the low-carb craze by launching new products targeted for those on the diet in recent weeks. But among this flood of new products on supermarket shelves are foods that make implied low-carb claims like 'carb smart' and 'carb aware', notes CSPI.
The Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) has also petitioned FDA to provide guidance to food companies on low-carb claims. Rather than narrowly focusing on one type of claim, GMA makes specific recommendations about the requirements for labeling foods and beverages as 'carbohydrate-free', 'low carbohydrate', 'good source of carbohydrate' and 'excellent source of carbohydrate'. Should the FDA adopt this approach, carbohydrates would be the first nutrient to have labeling standards for the entire range of nutrient content claims, the trade association said.
But CSPI is also calling on the FDA to regulate implied low-carb claims such as 'carb options' as though they were 'low carb' or 'reduced carb' claims.
"Consumers clearly buy those foods because they expect to get fewer carbs," according to CSPI nutrition director Bonnie Liebman. "If the FDA defines only 'low carb' claims, it will spin its wheels regulating a claim that few companies bother to use."
It also wants to prohibit 'net carb' claims, devised by some manufacturers by subtracting fiber, sugar alcohols, and other carbs that supposedly have minimal impact on blood sugar and has asked FDA to require the words 'not a low-calorie food' next to carb claims, as required on foods that make 'no sugar added' claims.
"People assume that they can't gain weight on foods with claims like 'carb aware' and 'carb smart,' just as they assumed that 'fat-free' on the package meant 'fat-free' on your waist. It's a huge leap of faith to assume that the calories in a lower-carb food don't count," says Liebman.
CSPI suggested that a low-carb food should have no more than 6 grams of carbohydrates per serving and that the term 'reduced-carbohydrate' be permitted for foods that have at least a 25 per cent fewer carbohydrates.
Two out of three American adults are overweight and obesity rates are rapidly escalating in children and teenagers. A report from the Valen group estimates that around 59 million Americans are currently controlling their carbohydrate intake.
