Companies Warned by FDA Over Antioxidant Health Claims

The Food and Drug Administration has been busy this year, investigating health claims made by functional foods and issuing warnings against those making the claims improperly. The latest round snared POM Wonderful, a company making pomegranate juice.

POM Wonderful received the FDA warning over its claims that its products contained antioxidants that could reduce atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries); reduce blood flow/pressure; slow the onset of prostate cancer; improve erectile function; improve circulation; reduce cholesterol; fight free radicals and benefit diabetes. 

The company also cited scientific publications, which the FDA criticized because it could be viewed as improperly trying to give evidence for the product's health claims.

"I have made improving the scientific accuracy and usefulness of food labeling one of my priorities as Commissioner of Food and Drugs,” said new FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg. “I am confident that our past cooperative efforts on nutrition information and claims in food labeling will continue as we jointly develop a practical, science-based front-of-pack regime that we can all use to help consumers choose healthier foods and healthier diets."

POM Wonderful was not the only company to receive such a warning from the FDA, however. In total, 17 companies received similar warnings about 22 products in this recent round of FDA scrutiny. Other companies receiving warnings included Sunsweet Growers (antioxidant claims for its dried fruit mix); PBM Products (calcium and other nutrient content claims for baby foods); and Pompeian (olive oil-based cancer prevention and other claims).