‘Choline' Nutrition Claim Allowed

September 11, 2001

Nutrition researchers and Central Soya Company, Inc., were to announce Monday that the Food and Drug Administration would allow a nutrient claim for "choline," a nutrient that may benefit heart, brain and liver functions of the body. Choline most often is found in foods that are often high in saturated fat and/or cholesterol. However, soy lecithin, a choline-rich food with little saturated fat and no cholesterol is a key exception.

Choline was recognized by the National Academy of Science as an essential nutrient in 1998. An Indiana company, Central Soya Company, Inc., is the leading manufacturer of lecithin food ingredients and the specialty lecithin components that are highest in choline content. The company requested that the FDA allow food makers to label products "a good source of choline" or "an excellent choice of choline" depending on content.

The FDA approval was made under streamlined procedures that were authorized by the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act which became law in 1997.

"Nutrition leaders eagerly anticipate improved health from greater awareness and consumption of choline," said Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN), the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and a long-time advocate of wellness and preventative medicine.

It is purported that choline can improve health in the areas of brain development, including memory function.