U.S. Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin, along with Reps. Tom Tiffany and Mark Pocan joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in urging the Food and Drug Administration to amend its proposed definition of 'healthy,' which excludes most cranberry and tart cherry products.
The congressional members say Wisconsin producers would be negatively impacted by the FDA's proposed rule since the state is the largest producer of the fruit in the nation.
"Cranberries and tart cherries are unique due to their low intrinsic sugar content--that is, they are not naturally sweet," the letter explained. "Due to both cranberries and tart cherries lack of intrinsic sugar content, they require sweetening to increase palatability for most consumers. However, there is ample research indicating that the human body does not distinguish between sugars intrinsic in fruit versus those added to fruit products."
The memo further stated that decades of research demonstrate that these fruits can be part of a healthy, nutrient-rich diet, and can play an important role in improving the diets of many Americans.
"Cranberries, and cranberry products, contribute bioactive polyphenols to the diet. These compounds found within the fruit are important sources of antioxidants, which can help combat oxidative stress," the lawmakers said. "There are also scientific findings indicating that these unique elements may support gut health , reduce certain risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, and reduce the risk of certain recurrent urinary tract infections."
A total of 28 lawmakers signed the letter.
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables