Barley Betafiber Included as Soluble Fiber Source

FDA has affirmed that barley betafiber can be included as a soluble fiber source, carrying the authorized health claim on the relationship between “soluble fiber from certain foods and coronary heart disease” (CHD). The final rule determines that barley betafiber is an additional eligible source of beta-glucan soluble fiber. FDA issued the rule in response to a petition filed in June 2006 by Cargill Inc. As part of its review of the scientific literature on barley betafiber and CHD, FDA considered the scientific evidence presented in the petition as well as information previously considered by the agency on CHD risk reduction and the effects of beta-glucan soluble fiber-containing food ingredients on lowering serum total and low density lipo­protein (LDL) cholesterol.