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Food and Drug Administration Allows Qualified Health Claims for Walnuts

Often associated with the approval of claims of pharmaceutical safety and efficacy, with this announcement the FDA more clearly defines its role in determining and advocating the importance of dietary patterns for the prevention of disease and mortality. 

By: Staff Report

4-5-04

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would allow qualified claims about the health benefits of integrating walnut consumption into the American diet.  Reviewing 11 human studies on the relationship between nut, and in some cases, specifically walnut consumption, and the incidence of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), the FDA determined that “significant scientific agreement” exists to support health claims from eating walnuts.

In a statement, the FDA reported, “FDA’s review concluded that supportive research shows that walnuts may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease when consumed as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet and not resulting in increased caloric intake. While this research is not conclusive, FDA believes that consumers will benefit from having information that may help them improve their dietary health.”

As the popular diet focus has shifted from low-fat to low-carbohydrate, the FDA’s recent announcement supports the contention of many nutritional scientists that it is not only how much fat you consume, but what type of fat.  More than reducing saturated fats and trans fatty acids, adding “good” fats to the diet may reduce certain kinds of disease and promote health. 

You will soon see the following FDA-approved statement on the packaging of whole walnuts: "Supportive but not conclusive research shows that eating 1.5 oz of walnuts per day, as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet, and not resulting in increased caloric intake may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. See nutrition information for fat [and calorie] content."

The label comes as a result of a petition filed by the California Walnut Commission, which filed for the right to make health claims about walnuts in March of 2002.  The careful language of the labeling reflects the fact that scientists have not been able to identify a highly-specific mechanism of action that ingredients in walnuts have on the body.   It also reflects the contentious nature of government-approved health claims, which are often used to support the marketing efforts of specific industry groups or food producers. 

As crazy as it sounds, the FDA had to satisfy claims that a recommended 1.5 oz daily consumption of walnuts is, “both safe and lawful.”  The FDA also qualified health claims on the positive effects of walnut consumption with the caveat that the studies used to support the petition filed by the California Walnut Commission were not sufficient to make stronger health claims. 

With the partial success of this petition, expect to see more carefully-controlled and longer-term studies of the health benefits of walnut and, more generally, omega-3 fatty acid consumption, to be conducted.

The FDA’s acting Commissioner, Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., PhD, noted conservatively in the statement announcing the new labeling, ““By using science based information to evaluate qualified health claims, the FDA is making sure that consumers get information about the nutritional value of foods.”  Overall, the more often the government supports positive changes in the American diet through the use of sound science, the better chance consumers have at making smart dietary decisions. 

References

“FDA Moves Forward on Qualified Health Claims.” FDA News. Food and Drug Administration. March 31, 2004. 

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01044.html

“Qualified Health Claims: Letter of Enforcement Discretion -Walnuts and Coronary Heart Disease.” Food and Drug Administration. Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary Supplements. March 9, 2004

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qhcnuts3.html