Canola gets FDA nod

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Published: October 12, 2006

Canada’s canola industry has high hopes for increased sales after the United States Food and Drug Administration last week approved a qualified health claim for canola oil.

Statements can now be made about the oil’s ability to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to its unsaturated fat content.

“The FDA puts all health claim petitions through rigorous scientific review,” said Canola Council of Canada president Barb Isman in a News release

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The FDA approved the following for display on containers of canola oil and certain products containing canola oil sold in the U.S:

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“Limited and not conclusive scientific evidence suggests that eating about 11/2 tablespoons (19 grams) of canola oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to the unsaturated fat content in canola oil.”

It also says the canola oil must replace a similar amount of saturated fat and the total daily calorie intake must not increase.

Isman said the council would use the FDA approved claim to help market canola with food product makers.

“It’s now possible to point to this FDA approval to show very clearly that all fats are not created equal.”

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