02.05.14
Health Canada has approved a health claim for ground whole flaxseed that links the nutritious crop with the lowering of cholesterol.
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, flaxseed can be consumed as whole seed or ground whole seed. It has been found that grinding or milling the seeds makes the nutrients more available.
“Based upon the strength of the scientific data we submitted, Health Canada’s Food Directorate recommended the acceptance of a health claim showing flaxseed can lower blood cholesterol,” said William Hill, president of the Flax Council of Canada. “This is a proud achievement as Canada is the first country in the world to allow a health-related claim for flaxseed for use on food labels. This claim is one of only a dozen deemed to meet the rigorous scientific criteria established by Health Canada.”
"Flaxseed is an important crop for Western Canadian farmers and the economy, and Canada is the world leader in production,” explainedLinda Braun, executive director of the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission.
Health claims are an important way to inform consumers about the nutritional value of a product and let consumers know how many servings of a particular food they need to eat to obtain the maximum benefit.The daily consumption of five tablespoons (40 grams) of ground flaxseed will help to reduce cholesterol levels. Flaxseed is easy to incorporate into many foods, including muffins, cookies, snack foods and casseroles.
“Now food manufacturers will be able to clearly state on labels the relationship between flax consumption and a reduction of cholesterol. This health claim will help encourage the development and demand for products containing flax,” stated Eric Fridfinnson, board chair of the Manitoba Flax Growers Association.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provided guidance on the science and the regulatory pathway to substantiate the ability of flax to lower blood cholesterol. According to theThe Flax Council of Canada,the approval of this claim is an example of the importance of industry and government partnerships working on behalf of Canadian producers to ensure greater understanding of the health benefits of Canadian crop based foods.
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, flaxseed can be consumed as whole seed or ground whole seed. It has been found that grinding or milling the seeds makes the nutrients more available.
“Based upon the strength of the scientific data we submitted, Health Canada’s Food Directorate recommended the acceptance of a health claim showing flaxseed can lower blood cholesterol,” said William Hill, president of the Flax Council of Canada. “This is a proud achievement as Canada is the first country in the world to allow a health-related claim for flaxseed for use on food labels. This claim is one of only a dozen deemed to meet the rigorous scientific criteria established by Health Canada.”
"Flaxseed is an important crop for Western Canadian farmers and the economy, and Canada is the world leader in production,” explainedLinda Braun, executive director of the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission.
Health claims are an important way to inform consumers about the nutritional value of a product and let consumers know how many servings of a particular food they need to eat to obtain the maximum benefit.The daily consumption of five tablespoons (40 grams) of ground flaxseed will help to reduce cholesterol levels. Flaxseed is easy to incorporate into many foods, including muffins, cookies, snack foods and casseroles.
“Now food manufacturers will be able to clearly state on labels the relationship between flax consumption and a reduction of cholesterol. This health claim will help encourage the development and demand for products containing flax,” stated Eric Fridfinnson, board chair of the Manitoba Flax Growers Association.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provided guidance on the science and the regulatory pathway to substantiate the ability of flax to lower blood cholesterol. According to theThe Flax Council of Canada,the approval of this claim is an example of the importance of industry and government partnerships working on behalf of Canadian producers to ensure greater understanding of the health benefits of Canadian crop based foods.