Yes, you read that title correctly. On February 22nd, the FDA sent a warning letter to Diamond Foods saying their walnuts are an “unapproved drug.” The FDA claims that due to the wording on their packaging, that Omega 3 fatty acids are good for you, the FDA considers this a medical claim, and therefore Diamond Foods could be liable for all sorts of penalties from fines to jail.

Even though the packaging claims were merely a repetition of validated scientific studies, the FDA took issue with the walnut packaging mentioning claims such as:

“Studies indicate that the omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts may help lower cholesterol; protect against heart disease, stroke and some cancers; ease arthritis and other inflammatory diseases; and even fight depression and other mental illnesses.”

“Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the tumor growth that is promoted by the acids found in other fats…”

“In treating major depression, for example, omega-3s seem to work by making it easier for brain cell receptors to process mood-related signals from neighboring neurons.”

“The omega-3s found in fish oil are thought to be responsible for the significantly lower incidence of breast cancer in Japanese women as compared to women in the United States.”

So, thanks to the helpful people at the FDA, anyone who wishes to sell broccoli, seafood, green tea, or any other food and reference validated scientific studies are in for a big surprise. By indicating they may be good for people’s health, the company must first apply to the FDA if they wish to mention the results of peer-reviewed studies on their packaging, a long and costly process. Why obvious information on packaging, that has been scientifically validated, turns a food eaten my humans for thousands of years into a drug is one of the mysteries that provide some insight into the inner workings of the FDA.

Source:
Antioxidative Polyphenols from Walnuts, Phytochemisty, August 2003: 63(7); 795-801, Toshiyuki Fukuda

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