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The fat substitute Olestra, used in some popular snack foods in
the USA, was rejected by a Canadian food regulatory agency, leaving
the United States the only country in the world where it is allowed.
Its manufacturer, Procter and Gamble (P&G) had previously applied
for approval in the United Kingdom as well, recently withdrew its
application.
The Washington-based not-for-profit advocacy group Center
for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) said that the decision
should cause the U.S. government to rethink its 1996 approval of
olestra, which is an ingredient in Frito-Lay Inc.'s "Wow!"
and Procter and Gamble's "Pringles" potato chips.
According to CSPI, P&G did not adequately support its claim
that adding vitamins to foods containing olestra counteracts the
fat substitute's tendency to inhibit the body's absorption of some
nutrients. CSPI is also pushing for stronger warning labels on olestra-containing
foods, stressing the fact that gastrointestinal symptoms caused
by the substance could be severe.
Of course, P&G is against the stronger labeling and is pushing
for doing away with the currently required labels, in favor of simply
listing it as an ingredient. In addition, they issued a statement
that they will now concentrate more on building olestra business
in the United States, where it is sold under the trade name Olean.
The FDA could rule later this year on the issue of labeling olestra-containing
products, as well as considering approval for expanding its current
use.
For more information go to CSPI's
Olestra information page
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