FDA to Approve Oats as "Low-Fat" Food
HEALTH NEWS BYTE
Friday, March 2, 2007
The next time you visit the supermarket, don’t be surprised if your
breakfast oatmeal sports some brand new labeling. The U.S. Food and
Drug Administration is expected to issue a ruling soon on whether
whole oat foods can be marketed as "low-fat" foods. Under current
regulations, foods such as oatmeal, oat bran and rolled oats can carry
heart-healthy labeling. The new ruling, which comes in response to a
petition by Quaker Oats, would allow food-makers to expand their
health marketing efforts.
What This Means for You
To enjoy the heart-healthy – and yes, possibly "low-fat" – benefits of
oat foods, opt for whole, rolled or "steel-cut" varieties rather than
processed products such as instant oatmeal.