Psyllium CHD health claim appropriate for foods, supplements, laxatives, P&G tells FDA.

PSYLLIUM CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING CLAIM LIMITATION TO FOODS DISCOURAGED BY P&G, maker of the psyllium-containing fiber laxative Metamucil, in Aug. 4 comments to FDA. Procter & Gamble's comments respond to the agency's May 22 proposed rule that would permit use of a health claim based on the association between the consumption of soluble fiber from psyllium and reduced risk of coronary heart disease through the lowering of blood cholesterol levels ("The Tan Sheet" May 26, p. 15). It is not "necessary to restrict the types of products or classes of products" that may bear the claim, P&G maintains; "foods or dietary supplements containing psyllium at the qualifying level should be allowed to used the health claim in labeling and advertising," the company asserts.