Cheerios Gets Bad Wrap From FDA
I believe Cheerios is getting a bad wrap because General Mills isn't the only company that makes claims that their product reduces cholesterol.

The FDA says in a warning letter to General Mills that language on the Cheerios box suggests the cereal is designed to prevent or treat heart disease. The language says “may” prevent heart disease just like so many other manufacturers claim their products have some health benefit.

Regulators say that only FDA-approved drugs are allowed to make such claims. General Mills are not promoting their product as a drug. And neither are the others. Why single out General Mills?

For example, soy product manufacturers claim that soy protein and soy isoflavones lowers cholesterol, relieves menopausal symptoms, may reduce the risk of cancer, and is a healthy substitute. Why doesn't the FDA go after the soy industry for their false claims?

The AHA retracted their endorsement of soy products because based on their own studies, cholesterol levels were not significant enough to warrant that claim.

On October 26, 1999, the FDA authorized the use of health claims about the role of soy protein in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) on labeling of foods containing soy protein. This final rule is based on the FDA's conclusion that foods containing soy protein included in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of CHD by lowering blood cholesterol levels.

They stated foods that may be eligible for the health claim include soy beverages, tofu, tempeh, soy-based meat alternatives, and possibly some baked goods. Foods that carry the claim must also meet the requirements for low fat, low saturated fat, and low cholesterol content except the foods made with the whole soybean may also qualify for the health claim if they contain no fat in addition to that present in the whole soybean.

The Western version of soy has toxins that are detrimental to your health. Why is that allowed?

In 2006, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported on a study of 55 patients with high cholesterol who, over the course of a year, started eating a diet rich in soy proteins, fiber and almonds. All those foods may have cholesterol-lowering properties. Really?

Due to my soy allergy, Cheerios is the only cereal I can eat with confidence because it does not contain soybean oil, and synthetic vitamin E.

I want the FDA to be more vigilant when it comes to our exported food, and leave General Mills alone for a product that isn’t killing anyone!

We are all aware of the serious problems we have had from tainted food, to lead poisoning in toys.

I would love to hear your views. Please comment here.