FDA has affirmed that barley betafiber can be included among the soluble fiber sources that carry 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.

Based on the available evidence, FDA concluded that barley betafiber, like the other whole oat and barley products listed in 101.81(c)(2)(ii)(A), lowers serum total and LDL cholesterol. Consequently, FDA amended 101.81(c)(2)(ii)(A) to broaden the health claim to include barley betafiber as an additional eligible source of beta-glucan soluble fiber.