FDA food health claims actions

Reg letters sent to six food product firms for health claims "not adequately supported by science," agency says Sept. 6. FDA also reserves right to take action against the firms for making illegal drug claims. One firm, Ralston Purina, claimed that its Oat Chex oat bran cereal "may help reduce cholesterol levels." FDA said that even if scientific evidence actually supports a link between oat bran fiber and a coronary heart disease risks, there is not enough fiber in Oat Chex to justify its claim. The letters represent the first actions taken by the agency under its proposed health claims rule, issued earlier this year.