FDA Rolls Back Olestra Labeling Requirements - Regulatory Matters

Regulatory Matters:

Published: 08/11/2003

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FDA Rolls Back Olestra Labeling Requirements

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted requirements that food containing olestra, a zero-calorie fat substitute, bear a statement informing consumers that the additive may cause gastrointestinal problems.

FDA approved olestra for use in 1996 but required foods containing the fat substitute to be labeled with the following statement in a boxed format: "THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS OLESTRA. Olestra may cause abdominal cramping and loose stools. Olestra inhibits the absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients. Vitamins A, D, E, and K have been added."

“[W]ithout an adequate warning label, olestra-containing chips may inadvertently find their way into shopping carts and lunchboxes of even those consumers who are trying to avoid olestra,” said Michael F. Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

FDA will continue to require food manufacturers to add vitamins A, D, E and K to products containing olestra to compensate for the additive’s effects on these nutrients.