Food Labeling: Health Claims; Sugar Alcohols and Dental Caries

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing its decision to authorize the use, on food labels and in food labeling, of health claims on the association between sugar alcohols and the nonpromotion of dental caries. The agency has concluded that, based on the totality of the scientific evidence, there is significant scientific agreement among qualified experts to support the relationship between sugar alcohols (i.e., xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, lactitol, isomalt, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH), hydrogenated glucose syrups (HGS), or a combination of sugar alcohols) and the nonpromotion of dental caries. Therefore, FDA has concluded that claims on foods relating sugar alcohols to the nonpromotion of dental caries are justified. FDA is announcing these actions in response to a petition filed by the National Association of Chewing Gum Manufacturers, Inc., and an ad hoc working group of sugar alcohol manufacturers (hereinafter referred to as the petitioners).