FDA Authorizes Qualified Health Claim for Canola Oil

FDA Authorizes Qualified Health Claim for Canola Oil

October 08, 2006

-- Healthy Oil May Help Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Canola oil is
now eligible to bear a qualified health claim on its ability
to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) due to
its unsaturated fat content, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration announced today. The claim, which canola oil
bottlers and makers of eligible products* may use on labels,
states:

    Limited and not conclusive scientific evidence suggests
that eating about 1 1/2 tablespoons (19 grams) of canola oil
daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to
the unsaturated fat content in canola oil. To achieve this
possible benefit, canola oil is to replace a similar amount
of saturated fat and not increase the total number of
calories you eat in a day. One serving of this product
contains [x] grams of canola oil.

    "The type of fat consumed is as important as the
amount," said John Haas, president of the U.S. Canola
Association (USCA). "Availability of this claim will
promote public health by informing consumers about a
simple, affordable and convenient strategy to reduce their
risk of heart disease. The claim may also encourage food
manufacturers and food service providers to substitute
canola oil for other oils with less favorable nutritional
profiles." 

    Canola oil is high in healthy unsaturated fats (93%),
free of cholesterol and trans fat, and the lowest in
saturated fat (7%) of any common edible oil. This
composition helps reduce the risk of CHD by lowering total
blood and low-density lipoprotein ("bad")
cholesterol, according to Guy H. Johnson, PhD, who wrote
the qualified health claim petition on behalf of the USCA.

    "There is ample scientific evidence to demonstrate
these benefits from the unsaturated fats in canola
oil," he said. "By using it in place of other
common edible oils, consumers can increase their compliance
with the latest dietary recommendations."

    In addition, canola oil is multi-functional with a high
heat tolerance, neutral taste and light, smooth texture.

    "The lack of consumer barriers to using canola oil
at the table and in cooking with respect to cost, taste,
convenience and availability makes it very
attractive," Johnson concluded.

    A press teleconference call will be on Tues., Oct. 10
at 11 am ET (10 am CT/9 am MT/8 am PT). It will feature
Nutrition Scientist Guy Johnson, PhD; Dietitian Janice
Bissex, MS, RD; and USCA Communications Director Angela
Dansby. To participate, dial the appropriate number below
and give the confirmation code to the operator:
    
    U.S. Journalists: 877-704-5378
    International Journalists: [phone]
    Confirmation Code: 9144374

    The U.S. Canola Association (USCA) was established in
1989 to increase U.S. canola production in order to meet
the growing public demand for healthy products. Based in
Washington, D.C., the USCA promotes and encourages the
establishment and maintenance of conditions favorable to
the production, marketing, processing and use of domestic
canola. 

    Canola Oil: Good for Every Body!

    * Criteria for foods eligible to bear the claim include
containing at least 4.75 grams of canola oil per reference
amount customarily consumed, no more than one gram of trans
fat and low levels of saturated fat and cholesterol.

    For more information, please contact:

     Angela Dansby
     the U.S. Canola Association
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  U.S. Canola Association