-CRN Believes Full Health Claim for Supplements/Foods More Appropriate-
 
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 8, 2004-The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) commends FDA's actions today extending the qualified health claim for Omega-3 EPA and DHA, previously available only for supplements, to conventional foods, but suggested FDA fell short of recommending what the science supports.  

According to CRN President Annette Dickinson, Ph.D., "Petitioners, including CRN, requested a full health claim for Omega-3 EPA/DHA and reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, and we continue to believe that the science is strong enough to warrant an unqualified health claim.  While it is logical for FDA to have extended the qualified health claim to conventional foods, as well as supplements, given they both provide the same beneficial nutrients, we hope that as the positive science continues to build FDA will move towards a full health claim."

Dr. Dickinson added, "We are disappointed that in today's action FDA established no minimum requirement for the amount of Omega-3 EPA/DHA that a conventional food must contain in order to use the qualified health claim.  We further believe it will do consumers a disservice if foods with insignificant amounts of these fatty acids carry the claim."

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing dietary supplement industry ingredient suppliers and manufacturers.  CRN members adhere to a strong code of ethics, comply with dosage limits and manufacture dietary supplements to high quality standards under good manufacturing practices. For more information on CRN, visit http://www.crnusa.org.

Contact: Judy Blatman, 202-204-7962