Health Canada rules on 'novel fiber "added to food

March 25, 2011 - Health Canada is preparing to change its definition of ^adietary fiber, which date from 1985 to adapt to scientific and technological advances have occurred in recent years in power. This change is primarily the "new fibers, food additives that are increasingly added to foods to increase fiber content.
To increase the fiber content of various food products, food industry employs some years, fibers that are not considered food in the traditional sense. Consider, for example, the insulin that comes from fructooligosaccharides, which is added to many foods: juices, breads, cookies, dairy products, etc.. There are also derivatives of starch, fiber from animal sources such as chitosan , extracted from crustacean shells, or laboratory-synthesized fiber such as polydextrose.
In the process, Health Canada is examining the possibility of extending the list of permitted health claims for products high in fiber, including the normalization of blood pressure and loss of weight . According to the regulatory body, the results of numerous clinical trials published in recent decades can allow these new health claims.

Caloric value down

Health Canada also proposes to lower the average caloric value attributed to dietary fiber. The current Canadian regulations established at 4 calories per gram energy value of dietary fiber by default, the value that the manufacturer is required to enter on the product packaging. In light of the latest scientific data, this value should rather be around 2 calories per gram. Which is not to displease the manufacturers who seek to make products that are both rich in fiber and providing as few calories as possible.
It is not yet clear, however, if the new regulations will require manufacturers to indicate on the product packaging, the source of fiber it contains: is it dietary fiber from plant, animal or Synthetic?
These regulatory changes will not apply to dietary fiber sold as dietary supplements (powder, capsule or tablet), which are found rather in the court for the natural health products.
With these changes, Health Canada will bring its regulations at those in force at the international level (Codex Alimentarius) and have been adopted by several countries including the United States, Europe, Japan, the Australia and New Zealand.
It is now shown that regular consumption of dietary fiber in particular contribute to the regulation of intestinal function as well as normalization of blood glucose and blood lipids.