I’m speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival, June 25-28. I don’t have details yet, but will post when I do.
The FDA is taking comments on label proposals until August 1 (see info at end of post). Here’s mine on voluntary vitamin D labeling.
July 17, 2014
TO: FDA
FROM: Marion Nestle, Professor, New York University
RE: Proposed revision to Nutrition Facts Panel: VITAMIN D
This is to argue against permitting food companies to voluntarily label added “Vitamin” D on the Nutrition Facts panel. Doing so will not promote—and may possibly harm–public health.
Rationale
In the absence of stronger evidence for benefit from fortification, and some evidence for possible adverse consequences, the FDA should not contribute to further commercialization of this misnamed hormone by permitting it to be listed on food labels.
References
[i] Wacker M, Holick MF. Sunlight and Vitamin D: A global perspective for health. Dermato-Endocrinology 2013;5(1):51–108.
[ii] Cranney A, Horsley T, O’Donnell S, Weiler H, Puil L, Ooi D, et al. Effectiveness and safety of vitamin D in relation to bone health. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 158. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2007. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK38410. Accessed February 5, 2013.
[iii] Chung M, Balk EM, Brendel M, Ip S, Lau J, Lee J, et al Vitamin D and calcium: a systematic review of health outcomes. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 183. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2009. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK32603/. Accessed February 5, 2013.
[iv] Chung M, Lee J, Terasawa T, Lau J, Trikalinos T. Vitamin D with or without calcium supplementation for prevention of cancer and fractures: an updated meta-analysis for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2011;155(12):827-38.
[v] Prentice RL, Pettinger MB, Jackson RD, Wactawski-Wende J, LaCroix AZ, Anderson GL, et al. Health risks and benefits from calcium and vitamin D supplementation: Women’s Health Initiative clinical trial and cohort study. Osteoporosis Int. 2013;24(2):567-580.
[vi] Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes: Calcium, Vitamin D. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 2011.
[vii] Rosen, Clifford J, Abrams, Steven A, Aloia John F. et al. IOM Committee members respond to endocrine society vitamin D guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;97:1146-1152.
[viii] Holick, Michael F, Brinkley Neil C, Heike, A et al Guidelines for preventing and treating vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency revisited. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;97:1153-1158.
[ix] Much growth in vitamin sales driven by vitamin D. Nutr Business J. 2009;14(6/7):5.
Here’s how to file comments:
The proposed revisions are to:
The FDA makes it very easy to file comments. It provides:
File comments here