U.S. FDA approves claim for fish oil supplements

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Makers of fish oil supplements can claim evidence "suggests" they might reduce the risk of heart disease, if the labels say the connection has not been confirmed, U.S. health officials said Thursday.

The Food and Drug Administration approved a limited health claim for the products but rejected the industry's bid to advertise that the omega-3 fatty acids in the supplements could lower a person's likelihood to develop coronary heart disease.

Labels for the products can state that research is "suggestive but not conclusive" and that it is not known whether omega-3 fatty acids have any effect on the general population's risk of heart disease.

An industry group funded by Roche Vitamins Inc., a division of Roche Holding Ltd., said the FDA had ignored thousands of experiments that show omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids do have health benefits.

"Many international and scientific bodies and our own American Heart Association have endorsed the heart-health benefits of fish and fish oil consumption," said Dr. William O'Connor of Oregon Health Sciences University in a statement from the industry group.

"It is an enormous disservice to the millions of Americans who could benefit from a recommendation on the positive health benefits of fish and fish oil," he added.

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The Fish Foundation
American Dietetic Association: Omega-3's
AHA Nutrition Committee Advisory: Fish and Fish Oil

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