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by Marion Nestle
Nov
22
2008
Upgraded health claim for omega-3?
Yes Virginia, there is indeed a trade association for everything and omega-3 fats have their very own. This one is hard at work trying to get the FDA to approve a full health claim (as opposed to the current qualified claim) for omega-3 fatty acids and heart disease risk. The FDA now allows this statement: “Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease” (my emphasis). I can understand why the omega-3 industry wants something stronger. Health claims, as I keep insisting, are about marketing, not health.