Nope, can’t say that according to the FDA. No health claim, regardless to whether it is linked to scientific research, can be made about a food or supplement; these claims can only be made on drugs. Ah but perhaps things are changing. Alliance for Natural Health sued the FDA and won!
Announced June 1, 2010, Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) states “Court finds for ANH-USA in stunning victory over FDA”. Per ANH “The case revolved around what are called qualified health claims. In a qualified health claim, the producer of a food or supplement tries to share the state of the science behind the product with the public. If the science is less than completely conclusive, usually the case with food or food related items, the claim is ‘qualified'”.
What this all boils down to is the FDA does not want a food or supplement to make health promoting claims. According to the FDA, if it cures a health condition or benefits a health condition then it must be a drug and regulated by the FDA. Here’s an example…
In February, 2010, the FDA under ‘leadership’ of Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D. took aim at numerous food companies for label and advertising health claims. One such product under fire was Diamond Nut Company; specifically Diamond walnuts. Diamond’s website linked to scientific studies proving the health benefits of walnuts. Serious health benefits such as lowering cholesterol, inhibiting tumor growth, treating depression – all linked to legitimate scientific research from consuming walnuts. But the FDA said no and sent Diamond Nut Company a warning letter forcing them to remove all mention of health benefits scientifically linked to consuming walnuts. http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm202825.htm
This win by Alliance for Natural Health is a tremendous step forward for consumers and petsumers that believe in and benefit from natural health promoting foods and supplements. While this will continue to be a long battle against the FDA, ANH believes this case “has much bigger ramifications. The judge was in effect saying that food and dietary supplement producers have a right under the free speech doctrine to talk about the science behind the product so long as they accurately represent that science.”
Let’s hope so. If the science supporting a health benefit from eating an apple or walnuts or whatever is legitimate, the FDA has no right to tell the apple farmer they cannot share with consumers the scientifically proven benefit of eating apples. Thank you Alliance for Natural Health; please keep up your fight for the freedom of all consumers (and petsumers) that choose natural options over drugs.
To read more on Alliance for Natural Health, visit:
http://www.anh-usa.org/court-finds-for-anh-usa-in-stunning-victory-over-fda-thank-you-jonathan-emord/
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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