Kellogg's Health Claim for Psyllium Gets Okay from FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given Kellogg Co. and other food companies permission to claim that eating a diet containing foods with a natural, soluble fiber known as psyllium may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

The FDA said that eating 10.2 grams of psyllium (about 7 grams of soluble fiber) per day as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol showed consistently significant effects in lowering blood cholesterol.

Psyllium husk, which is extracted from a plant grown predominantly in India, is most commonly used as the active ingredient in laxatives such as Metamucil, as well as a minor thickening or stabilizing agent in foods like ice cream and soup. It is also found in Kellogg's Bran Buds cereal, which will carry the new health claim.

"The FDA's decision signals the dawn of a new era, enabling consumers to confidently select foods containing nutrients that do more than just meet basic nutritional needs," said Bill Mayer, M.D., M.P.H, president and general manager of Kellogg Company's Functional Foods Division.

This week's announcement follows FDA's approval in January 1997 of the health claim concerning oatmeal that stated: "Soluble fiber from oatmeal, as part of a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet, may reduce the risk of heart disease."

Some consumer groups argue that claims for the health benefits of both oatmeal and psyllium as found in individual cereals could mislead consumers because they ignore many other foods that are equally good sources of fiber.

"Each of these claims make the food product seem like they're a magic bullet," said Bruce Silverglade of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

The American Heart Association agrees. "People should not think that just by adding a tablespoon of psyllium in their diet that they are eating a well-balanced diet," Alice Lichtenstein, a member of AHA's Nutrition Committee, said.