FDA pushed to regulate low-carb food

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Two groups are pressuring the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to establish labeling requirements for low-carbohydrate foods.

The Grocery Manufacturers of America submitted a petition Monday to the FDA to establish new regulations for carbohydrate nutrient content claims, and the Center for Science in the Public Interest immediately followed with a release supporting the GMA's request.

Convenience chains, such as 7-Eleven stores, offer more than 50 snacks touted as low carb, but nutrition experts say these products can be very deceiving.

"The consumer is being left open to false information without good labels," said Bonnie Jortberg of the University of Colorado's Center for Human Nutrition.

On Feb. 12, an FDA spokesman said, the agency will release a report from its Obesity Working Group that might contain labeling requirements for low-carb products.

What are they going to add to the label? Warning: Low carb products may cause weightloss!

I definitely think this is a good thing. People currently can call anything low carb. I read labels, but for some convenience foods, it would be nice to know there are standards.

Especially a way to truly measure net carbs you can trust would be great.