Popular Cheerios cereal is a 'drug': U.S. FDA

[JonLP24]

Source: canada.com

WASHINGTON — Popular U.S. breakfast cereal Cheerios is a drug, at least if the claims made on the label by its manufacturer General Mills are anything to go by, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said.

"Based on claims made on your product's label, we have determined that your Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal is promoted for conditions that cause it to be a drug," the FDA said in a letter to General Mills which was posted on the federal agency's website Tuesday.

Cheerios labels claim that eating the cereal can help lower bad cholesterol, a risk factor for coronary heart disease, by four per cent in six weeks.

Citing a clinical study, the product labels also claim that eating two servings a day of Cheerios helps to reduce bad cholesterol when eaten as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, the FDA letter says.

Read more: http://www.canada.com/health/Popular+Cheerios+cereal+drug/1591926/story.html

[provis99]

1. Cheerios are a drug? Can I get high if I eat enough bowls?

[wyldwolf]

2. Yep! I've been known to freebase the Apple Cinnamon ones

[derby378]

4. Didn't they used to be called "Apple Jacks?"

Seriously habit-forming stuff, there.

[bitchkitty]

67. I think that's Post. Apple Jacks ROCK!!!! n/t

[derby378]

3. Then maybe the FDA would like to go after Subway as well?

I'd like to see them do it. Ought to be good for a laugh.

[mitchum]

5. Works for me; refined sugar is THE gateway drug...

despite all of the anti-marijuana bullshit

[Mika]

58. And the most subsidized crops are sugar cane and corn (sweetener).

And like any addict, who wouldn't want their drug of choice subsidized?

[Critters2]

6. I'm glad the FDA is doing something worth the time and energy.

I'm deeply grateful they're protecting me from the dangers of Cheerios.

This is the kind of shit that makes people wary of government regulation. Idiots.

[struggle4progress]

27. The FDA is telling the cereal manufacturer that if they make medical claims, they should be

regulated accordingly. It's fine with me if they want to market their cereal as a cure for leprosy or as a treatment for macular degeneration or whatever, but if they make medical claims they should be treated accordingly

[bananas]

35. Exercise lowers cholesterol, does that make exercise a drug?

There are exercise shows on tv, does that make tv a drug?
Vitamin C prevents scrurvy, does that make orange juice a drug?
Vitamin D has various health benefits, does that make sunshine a drug?
Is the FDA going to send a cease-and-desist letter to the sun?

[struggle4progress]

38. Should you decide to package and market your "Big Box O' Sunlight-n-OJ" for its alleged

medical benefits, then I think you will fall under FDA jurisdiction

[bananas]

42. 'President Obama-- "Sunlight is the best disinfectant."'

Uh-oh, DU is a drug, it has posts making medical claims: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5649095

[struggle4progress]

45. You can, of course, say anything you like: you could probably put a dozen toilets in front

of your house, fill them with water and rusty old wires, and tell people that it was your personal belief that these devices captured the orgasmic energy of distant planets and that drinking the water would fill them with vitality and double their years on earth, without running afoul of the FDA. But if you market your wonderful invention, or sell the delicious healthful beverage produced by these fine machines, then you might reasonably expect regulators to take an interest

[Regret My New Name]

49. heh orgasmic energy from distant planets... I want those toilets.

[sniffa]

7. Cheerios is a gateway drug to oatmeal

:(

[Lone_Star_Dem]

9. And Wilford Brimley is its #1 pusher

I hear he stands on street corners just handing out those little sample packs of instant oatmeal trying to get kids hooked!

edit: removal of an unneeded apostrophe.

[Lautremont]

17. And then he has the nerve to complain about the diabeetus.

[pscot]

18. It's a slippery slope

From Cheerios, to dime bags of flavored oatmeal; next thing you know you're buying imperial gallons of Glenfiddich or Lafroaig, and the devil has taken a lease on your soul. You may even end up in (shudder) advertising.

[Deja Q]

8. I bet the Cheerios' holes are still way too large for Bush to feel nice and - uh - snug in...

It's not too early to make crude Bush jokes, is it?

:hide:

[katty]

10. so how many bowls do you have to eat for this 'drug' to take effect?

[pleah]

11. They'll really go Coocoo for Cocoa Puffs then.

:silly:

[JuniperLea]

12. Just wait until the kids at rehab hear about this!

I hear it's a mellow high... a little better than banana leaves, but not quite as good as 'shrooms.

[bunnies]

13. Theyve been doing this to vitamins and supplements for years.

You cant make claims like that. The Cheerios people should know better.

[RaleighNCDUer]

14. So now anything that gives you health benefits is a drug?

Will I have to get a prescription for my daily apple? And if I have to see a doctor before I eat an apple, how is that keeping the doctor away?

[JonLP24]

16. ...

:rofl:

[kestrel91316]

22. No. It is the specific claim involving a TIME FRAME that got them in trouble.

They can sell all the Cheerios they want. They just can't make the exact claim they did without research results to substantiate it.

[JonLP24]

24. I can understand that

But labeling it a drug doesn't seem like an appropriate response. I might it's not a drug is it?

[kestrel91316]

29. The point is, if you make a claim like that about something you sell,

then you have caused that something to fall under drug laws.

Cherios needs to amend the claim or stop making it altogether, and then they can sell all the Cheerios they want.

[JonLP24]

26. You say no research, Yahoo says a study

Cheerios labels claim that eating the cereal can help lower bad cholesterol, a risk factor for coronary heart disease, by four percent in six weeks.

Citing a clinical study, the product labels also claim that eating two servings a day of Cheerios helps to reduce bad cholesterol when eaten as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, the FDA letter says.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/090512/health/health_us_food_medicine

You prompted me to search it by your claim of "no research" I find it hard to believe they would just make random specific claims without research. Yahoo says they cite a study when making their claims, I'm not going to kill myself to find the study but let's try to get our facts correct. No one and not the article I posted ever said "no research" as you claim.

[JonLP24]

28. Ok I killed myself

Albertson et al. Ready-to-eat cereal consumption: its relationship with BMI and nutrient intake of children aged 4 to 12 years. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103(12):1613-9.

Cho et al. The effect of breakfast type on total daily energy intake and body mass index: Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). JACN. 2003,22(4):296-302.

Crockett et al. Impact of ready-to-eat cereal consumption on the nutrient intakes of American adults in 1998-99. J Am Diet Assoc, 2001;A-100.

Wyatt et al. Long-term weight loss and breakfast in subjects in the National Weight Control Registry. Obesity Research. 2002;10(2):78-82

Research sources on the General Mills website.

[kestrel91316]

30. My computer froze up when I was looking for the FDA statement, lol.

Now that I'm back.......

I heard on the radio this AM that the specific problem was that the claim involved an exact time frame for seeing results, and that is apparently a no-no in light of a lack of research to substantiate that exact claim.

FDA isn't stupid. They know their own rules. Cheerios and Quaker oats and such have made cholesterol claims with no problems for years. They haven't been stating a time frame until now. There's the problem.

[JonLP24]

31. FDA isn't stupid?

Then why is cannabis a Schedule I drug, meaning that it has a high potential for abuse and has no acceptable medical use? Why does it have the same classification as Heroin and LSD?

On the box Cheerios claims they are certified by the American Heart Association to lower and reduce cholesterol. They could've put the label on the box without permission but I doubt it.

[kestrel91316]

36. Well, don't get me started on the marijuana/schedule I nonsense, lol.

FDA has lots of VERY smart scientists. Unfortunately, some of the bureaucrats are know-nothing political appointees and their lackeys, and undoubtedly some of the taint if the Bush era is still there. Believe it or not, government, like higher education, hires some of our best and brightest.

Again, please note that the problem with the Cheerios claim is that it specifies a time frame for results, and THAT is what FDA objects to. AS THEY SHOULD.

Sometimes DUers can be as anti-government as the RWers. Probably because so many of them are.

[bananas]

39. The FDA is a bureaucracy, and they continually try to expand their power

They do this every so many years.
One time, they wanted to ban vitamins higher than the US RDA amount.
The FDA didn't care if you smoked ten packs of cigarettes a day,
but they wanted to bust your door down if you had chewable vitamin C.
It's ridiculous.

[RaleighNCDUer]

50. I think it's more that the FDA is in the pocket of the pharmaceutical industry.

A spokesperson I heard on TV very specifically said that breakfast cereal is not in the business of health - that's what we have drugs for. Have you ever heard ANYTHING so asinine?

Food is supposed to be healthy. That's its job. Drugs is what we substitute when food is not sufficient to maintain health. It's DRUGS that is the fallback, not food.

[struggle4progress]

59. Gotta link? Some vitamins are toxic, and some companies in the past promoted

the supposed "health benefits" of megadoses. If you have actual evidence the FDA ever proposed to bust your door down if you had chewable vitamin C, please provide

[kestrel91316]

65. Trust me, you wouldn't want a US without the FDA to keep Big Pharma

(and every streetcorner charlatan) from poisoning us all or defrauding us with worthless pills. It would be MUCH worse without them.

I support their existence. I also think they need to be run by scientists and not Big Pharma execs.

[bananas]

70. I agree. nt

[bobburgster]

15. Did I miss something?

I looked at it as a foolish approach by the FDA, (nothing new there, but at least their heart is in the right place) to stop GM false advertisement....or at least unsubstantiated.

[enlightenment]

19. It's not false or misleading.

The FDA isn't saying the claim is untrue - only that the way it's phrased makes it sound like the cereal acts as a drug.

http://patdollard.com/2009/05/fda-labels-cheerios-a-drug-for-lowering-cholesterol/

and the report on the study:
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS118214+20-Apr-2009+PRN20090420

[bobburgster]

52. I understand, bad choice of words.

My focus, in my reply, was the ridicule of the FDA in the previous posts. Granted, govt. agencies tend to be easy fodder for ridicule because of their many inane rulings and laws, but I was thinking it is about time they do something. Appreciate your clarification.

[RaleighNCDUer]

56. Maybe they need to learn how to read -

the study shows clear benefits in lowering cholesterol.

The cereal box says eating cheerios in such and such a way CAN reduce your cholesterol. It doesn't claim it WILL, only that it can, as part of a specific nutritional breakfast.

Eating an apple a day can help maintain a healthy level of fiber in the diet. Does that make an apple a drug?

All that the cheerios claim is, is that healthy eating has healthy results.

Duh!

[JonLP24]

57. They also encourage other foods and behaviors

Yet heart disease is largely preventable. Despite the hereditary factors some individuals face, diet and exercise play important roles in heart health.

That's why nourishing heart health is a major focus for General Mills.

We help consumers eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grain and low-fat dairy.

It's also a good idea to:

* Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
* Limit foods high in fat and cholesterol.
* Exercise. Ramping up your activity level will help maintain a healthy weight.

http://www.generalmills.com/corporate/health_wellness/heart_health.aspx

[madmom]

20. What about Quaker Oats? Or is that ok because babs bush is their spokesperson?

[slackmaster]

21. Better stock up on pre-ban Cheerios before they're all gone from grocery store shelves

:hide:

[PatrynXX]

23. Figures, but can one take that seriously?

mom's favourite cereal lol.. she just bought some more. I printed this off and she's like has to be a joke.

Basically General Mills would probably rather remove the Cholesterol wording before removing the boxes off the shelves.

[Critters2]

25. My mom used to joke that Cheerios were my first solid food,

and, at the rate I keep eatin' em, they're likely to be my last.

[imdjh]

32. Cheerios are the next best thing to mom. :)

Seriously, I think every kid goes from nipple to Cheerio.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Earth_First]

48. Sorry, I spent all my money on Cheerios...

Can I get a ride into work with you in the morning?

[Psephos]

51. lol n/t

[nookiemonster]

34. That sucks......

I tried lighting a bowl of them and they won't stay lit.

Bastards....

[Candy Randy]

37. How about a bowl of sugarcoated Hemp?

Yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MilesColtrane]

40. Drug dealers everywhere are going to have to step up the competition.

If you mail four empty kind bud baggies as proofs of purchase and $3.95 shipping & handling to Pueblo, Colorado they'll now send you a nifty rubber band powered, Cheech and Chong, styrofoam space shuttle.

[skyounkin]

41. I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!

YOU TAKE MY CHEERIOS I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!! I'LL KILL YOU ALL!! I (don't) KNOW WHERE YOU ALL LIVE!! I'LL HUNT YOU DOWN AND FUCKING CUT YOUR JAGUAR WITH A BUTTER KNIFE YOU PANSIES!!!

FUCK YOU!!! FUCKKKKK YOU!!!!!!

::eats some cheerios::

Ohhh.....ohhhhhhhhh that's....that's a lot better........

I'm good...I'm good now.......

[BrightKnight]

43. Perhaps General Mills is getting a little Sinclair payback. - n/t

[Libertyfirst]

44. Much better to worry about Cheerios that to worry about drugs they o.k. that kill.

[quidam56]

46. It's amazing how much we've become a nation of liars and misleaders through advertising.

Seems in East Tennessee and southwest Virginia, Profit Care comes ahead of Patient Care. www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62

[Old Coot]

47. Why the heck did you post this?

I have seen this posted a number of times and as far as I know it is bogus. I live in the area and Wellmont has a good reputation.

[Thor_MN]

53. The FDA goes after Cheerios, but is mute on all the supplements sold...

You can make up whatever story you want, saying your product contains a vital molecule that your body needs and as one ages, the supply of this fantasy molecule diminishes. Taking your tablets will increase one's health and vitality. Perfectly legal and all you have to do is put a minute disclaimer in barely readable print saying that your product is not reviewed or approved by the FDA. The FDA doesn't give a rat's ass if you sell clay and dye pressed into tablets with absurd health claims as long as you call it a supplement, but if you call it food and make a health claim, it becomes a drug?

[JonLP24]

54. You read my mind

I see quack cures being sold all the time with that disclaimer. I can understand evaluating health benefits by the food but labeling Cheerios a drug doesn't make any sense on any circumstance.

[mbperrin]

55. Hey, why waste money on dye? Just leave it clay, and then put

"ALL NATURAL" on the label. Or why spend money on clay? Just use cowshit, very cheap and readily available.

Really, you're using a ridiculously high standard here.

See? I could do this stuff, if I could just take a few sociopath classes to get rid of this nagging feeling that fucking people completely over is somehow wrong.....

[struggle4progress]

60. The 1976 Proxmire Amendment prevents FDA from regulating "dietary supplements"

[BuddhaGirl]

62. the FDA pays attention to any "claims"

made by supplement manufacturers. They are not allowed to make "wild claims." The disclaimers are there because they have to be.

Really - do some research before you post. :eyes:

Don't like supplements? Then don't take them.

[mbperrin]

64. Yes, thank goodness those makers only have scientific type claims, nothing

wild or extreme.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mt/hard.html
As if that wasn't already enough, another clinical study found that the key components in Hydroxycut Hardcore were proven to increase the body's primary fat-burning hormone, norepinephrine (NE), by an incredible average of 40 percent! With all that norepinephrine flowing through your system, you're certain to become a fat-burning inferno!


Yes, an inferno!

But by all means, let's jump Cheerios....

[CRK7376]

61. I've never been a fan

of Cheerios. If my wife has them in the house for the kids, I'll eat them, but as a rule, I don't buy or eat Cheerios....

[Psephos]

63. hmmm...shades of "ketchup is a vegetable"

lol

I hardly think this is what Madison, Jefferson, Hamilton, et al. envisioned as good government.

[bitchkitty]

66. This is very, very silly.

Aren't there much more dangerous areas of our food supply that they should be addressing?

Cheerios are freaking boring anyway. Give me Cocoa Krispies any day over Cheerios.

[suzy creemcheeze]

68. Dear Lord in heaven above...

So what exactly does this mean? Are we going to have to fill out 'scripts to buy a frigging box of Quaker Oats now?

[MrScorpio]

69. I've got a box in my cabinet... All I need is some rolling papers and I'll be set