FDA totally Inept??

I found this video on YouTube regarding the FDA and the food pyramid, produced by The ROB RENNIE SHOW. Please take a few minutes and watch this video. It is short, yet rather humorous!

Do you think the FDA is totally inept....?

Genetically Modified Foods! Good or Bad??

Over the past couple of days, I did some research on the subject of Genetically Modified (Gmo) foods. This is always a controversial topic because it has some great benefits and criticisms associated with it. One of the reference I found explained the pros and cons with (Gmo). Listed below are some of the focal points of the article:

Pros:

1. Pest resistance
2. Herbicide tolerance
3.Disease resistance
4.Cold tolerance

criticisms:1. Environmental hazards
2. reduced effect of pesticides
3. Gene transfer to non-target species
4. Unknown effects on human health

Further into the article, there was a description of the FDAs involvement regarding Gmo and the regulations (or lack of) that are imposed:

" The FDA historically has been concerned with pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food products and additives, not whole foods. Under current guidelines, a genetically-modified ear of corn sold at a produce stand is not regulated by the FDA because it is a whole food, but a box of cornflakes is regulated because it is a food product. The FDA's stance is that GM foods are substantially equivalent to unmodified, "natural" foods, and therefore not subject to FDA regulation."

Reference: http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) on Supplements

After consuming a specific brand name supplement this morning, I noticed the endorsed signature of "GMP-Certified" product on the container.  I decided to further investigate the meaning of this and found the following information:

 What Is GMP-certified?

A manufacturer that is deemed to be GMP-certified is one that has satisfied a specific set of standards mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). GMP certification ensures that supplements and vitamins are manufactured safely, with quality and with efficacy. During an internal inspection, a manufacturer must prove to a GMP auditor that they not only have the facilities to manufacture nutraceuticals safely, but can also package, label and store them safely as well. Additionally, a manufacturer must show that they have SOP's in place should products need to be recalled for whatever reason.

Source :http://www.nutricaplabs.com/gmp-certified-manufacturer.aspx

I thought that this was rather interesting and gave me a sense of satisfaction and safety assurance from the company that I like to purchase my whey protein from (Dymatize Nutrition).

Does anyone feel that having the "GMP-Certified" stamp on a supplement endorsed by the FDA makes them safer for us consumers?

Food label Regulations on Trans-Fatty Acids

Directly from the FDA website:

1. How should trans fatty acids be listed?
   Trans fatty acids should be listed as "Trans fat" or "Trans" on a separate line under the listing of saturated fat in the nutrition label. Trans fat content must be expressed as grams per serving to the nearest 0.5-gram increment below 5 grams and to the nearest gram above 5 grams. If a serving contains less than 0.5 gram, the content, when declared, must be expressed as "0 g."
   
2. If a serving contains less than 0.5 gram of trans fat, when would "0 g" of trans fat not have to be declared?
   For conventional food products (those food products other than dietary supplements), declaration of "0 g" of trans fat is not required for such products that contain less than 0.5 g of total fat in a serving if no claims are made about fat, fatty acid or cholesterol content. In the absence of these claims, the statement "Not a significant source of trans fat" may be placed at the bottom of the table of nutrient values in lieu of declaring "0 g" of trans fat.
   The labeling of dietary supplements is different than the labeling of conventional foods. Certain nutrients in conventional foods, when not present or when present at levels that the agency has determined to be "zero" (see 21 CFR 101.9(c)), must be listed as zero on conventional food labels. However, when those same nutrients are not present in dietary supplements or present in dietary supplements at levels that the agency has determined, for conventional foods, to be "zero," such nutrients must not be listed on dietary supplement labels. Amounts of "0 g" and "Not a significant source..." statements are not allowed in the nutrition labeling of dietary supplements (i.e., Supplement Facts). Consequently, when the amount of trans fat in a dietary supplement is less than 0.5 gram per serving, trans fat must not be listed on the Supplement Facts panel.
   

It is very interesting in that if trans-fatty acids have health adverse effects when consumed, that the FDA allows small portions to be included in products without informing the consumer! I am not convinced that the FDA is looking out for our health in regards to consumption of trans-fats.

FDA on classification of "Whole Grains"

Here is an interesting read regarding "whole Grains" and how the FDA classifies products as "Good", "Excellent" or "100% Excellent" source of whole grains.
 
http://www.livestrong.com/article/41443-fda-whole-grain-regulations/

Welcome to my Blog!!

The purpose of my Blog is to spread awareness and educate the uninformed  public of the controversial issues that have risen between consumers, corporations, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here we will discuss the regulations that the FDA has enacted in regards to food and dietary supplements and the impact that these regulations ultimately have on consumers health and well-being.

By staying current on on my blog, I hope to inform the unknowing victim (possible you?) of how the FDA is ultimately letting us down and not truly looking out for our best interests!

Thus, it is in your best interest to not accept products that are so-called "FDA Approved" at their face value; instead, be skeptical of the products you are consuming because you are overall responsible for your own health!

Food for thought....