ATLANTA, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- As a result of a 2004 petition from the
Beverage Institute for Health & Wellness (hereafter the Institute) of The
Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
announced today that it has amended its osteoporosis risk reduction health
claim to reflect the importance of vitamin D, in combination with calcium, in
promoting long-term bone health. The amended rule also includes a broader
definition of the populations that could benefit from consuming calcium and
vitamin D to include both men and women of all ages and races.
The amended labeling regulation explains that vitamin D is required for
the normal absorption of calcium, and authorizes the health claim: 'Adequate
calcium and vitamin D throughout life, as part of a well-balanced diet, may
reduce the risk of osteoporosis.'
'Osteoporosis is a growing public health crisis, and all Americans, men
and women alike, will benefit from knowing that vitamin D along with calcium
can help delay or prevent the onset of this disease,' said Robert P. Heaney
MD, FACP, John A. Creighton University Professor and Professor of Medicine at
Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. 'Along with weight-bearing exercise,
the most valuable intervention for maintaining bone health is an overall
healthful diet that supplies adequate amounts of all nutrients such as vitamin
D.'
The US National Osteoporosis Foundation predicts that by 2010, about 12
million people over the age of 50 will have osteoporosis and another 40
million will have low bone mass. These numbers are expected to continue
climbing. To help address this significant public health issue, the FDA
developed this health claim for manufacturers to include on labels of
appropriate foods and dietary supplements. The new labeling can help
consumers identify products with adequate calcium and Vitamin D that can help
to reduce their risk of osteoporosis.
Increasing Awareness and Consumption of Vitamin D
'We initiated this petition because we believe consumers will benefit from
efforts to increase awareness of the link between calcium and vitamin D and
bone health,' said Dr. Rhona Applebaum, Vice President and Chief Scientific
and Regulatory Officer for The Coca-Cola Company. 'Revising the osteoporosis
risk reduction health claim to include both vitamin D and calcium will help
the food industry communicate the importance of these nutrients to consumers.'
According to Carolyn E.
