2006D-0066
  

  
Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff: Whole Grains Label Statements
  


  

  

  


  

  
FDA Comment Number : 
  

  
EC7
  



  

  
Submitter : 
  

  
Dr. Patricia Berglund
  

  
Date & Time: 
  

  
05/08/2006 01:05:51
  



  

  
Organization : 
  

  
Northern Crops Institute
  



  

  
Category : 
  

  
Academia
  



  

  
Issue Areas/Comments 
  


  

  


  

  
GENERAL
  


  

  



  

  
GENERAL
  


  

  



  

  
 I am in favor of this Whole Grain Label Statement -- it is important to meet the recommendations of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (one half of each days grains should be whole grain).  However, I wish to add comments for one addition.



Whole grain flaxseed should be included in the grains available for listing in the Whole Grains Label Statements.  Flaxseed is high in numerous essential nutrients.  It is a source of about 28% dietary fiber with ratios of soluble to insoluble fiber between 20:80 and 40:60.  It contains the phytochemical, lignan (SDG), and a mixture of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particulary alpha-linolenic acid (essential omega-3 fatty acid) and linoleic acid (essential omega-6 fatty acid).  Flaxseed has been shown to have significant benefits for cardiovascular disease (Jenkins et al 1999, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. and Arjmandi et al, 1998 Nutr. Res.)



From a practical standpoint, flax can be ground, cracked or flaked and added into a myriad of grain-based foods, including, but not exclusively, breads, baked goods, cereals, pasta, snack foods, snack bars, etc.  From a health standpoint, it would be good for the American population to have flax included in the whole grain label claim because it would acknowledge the nutritional advantage of flax in the diet.