The National Food Processors Association (NFPA) and the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) have said that they have sought the Food and Drug Administration’s acknowledgement of and support for dietary guidance label statements on the health benefits associated with eating fish.


To assist food manufacturers in incorporating accurate, substantiated dietary guidance statements in fish product labelling, the two groups said they have developed two model dietary guidance statements: “Diets rich in fish may reduce the risk of heart disease,” and “Diets rich in fish, including [specific fish variety(ies) associated with health benefits], may reduce the risk of heart disease.”


“This model language is parallel to that employed by FDA in the dietary guidance message, ‘Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases.’ We request that FDA inform the public about these dietary guidance messages, and assist in encouraging food manufacturers to include dietary guidance messages about fish and reduced risk of heart disease in food labelling,” the NFPA and NFI said.