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
Hopefully most readers of this newsletter know better than to eat any products containing olestra. The problems associated with olestra are numerous:
Decreased absorption and blood levels of fat soluble nutrients such as vitamin E and carotenoids (Journal of Nutrition 1997; 127: 1636S-1645S)
Significant increases in GI symptoms, including diarrhea, loose stools, and more severe GI effects (US Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration. Olestra: final rule. Federal Register. January 30, 1996;61:3152-3154)
Increased risk of dehydration due to greater water loss through diarrhea (FDA review letter)
In addition to the problems mentioned above, the very use of olestra is predicated on the misconception that fat is an "evil" substance that should be avoided at all costs. For more information on fats, see Dr. Enig's book below. Long-time readers of this newsletter know that this is simply not the case. Fat is an essential substance for optimal health and it is actually grains and sugar that are to blame for much of the rampant health problems that exist today.
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