MGP Files Citizen Petition with FDA Under New Dietary Fiber Labeling Rules

15 Nov 2016 --- MGP has filed a citizen petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking the agency to further confirm the status of the company’s patented Fibersym RW and FiberRite RW resistant wheat starches as dietary fiber.

A list of dietary fibers is currently being developed by the FDA under new food labeling rules, which were published on May 27, 2016 and have a scheduled compliance date of July 26, 2018.

While MGP's citizen petition is undergoing review, the current status of Fibersym RW, along with FiberRite RW, as accepted dietary fiber and recognized fiber-fortifying ingredient remains in place.

As part of the citizen petition review process, the FDA requests scientific evidence demonstrating certain beneficial physiological effects.

“MGP is confident that our patented Fibersym RW and FiberRite RW meet the FDA criteria, since these ingredients are ‘isolated non-digestible carbohydrates’ that demonstrate beneficial physiological effects in humans,” said Michael Buttshaw, vice president of ingredients sales and marketing.

Ody Maningat, Ph.D., vice president of R&D and chief science officer at MGP, stated, “Several peer-reviewed scientific studies in human populations have been conducted within academia on Fibersym RW.”

“Results of these studies demonstrate Fibersym RW’s contribution to lowering total blood cholesterol levels and reducing waist circumference and total body fat percentages, which can decrease the risk of being overweight.”

“We also have documented results showing a lowering of post-prandial glucose levels. Similar physiological benefits are applicable to FiberRite RW, as well.”

MGP’s citizen petition seeks to have both Fibersym RW and FiberRite RW included in the FDA’s published final list of dietary fibers well before the FDA's 2018 target compliance date.

The FDA has indicated to the industry that the agency intends to provide feedback within 180 days of its acceptance of a citizen petition submission.

“We are extremely confident we will receive a favorable response to our citizen petition,” Buttshaw said. Fibersym RW and FiberRite RW are both RS-4 type resistant starches and are Non-GMO Project Verified.