The FDA approved olestra back in January 1996 and it was introduced into snacks like potato chips, crackers and tortilla chips, making them lower in fat and calories than traditional chips. Sound too good to be true? Maybe it is.
Since it's introduction in 1996, the FDA has received reports of digestive problems related to olestra from more than 20,000 people - more than from all other food additives in history combined. The most common complaints are abdominal cramping, loose stools and diarrhea. According to the FDA, olestra also inhibit's the body's absorption of certain fat soluble vitamins and nutrients. Because of this, the FDA requires the essential vitmains A, D, E, and K be added to snacks containing olestra. Labels are required on all products containing olestra to warn consumers of potential side effects.
The problems with olestra go beyond loose stools, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. It gives people the idea that if they consume fat-free, low-fat or fake fact products, then they don't have to worry about calories or portion size. Americans get the idea that it's ok to consume more high calorie products such as sweet rolls, cookies, donuts and cake , so we end up consuming more of these products than normal. Remember, low-fat doesn't mean no fat and no calories and fat-free doesn't mean calorie free. The best diet is not a diet that just limits fat intake. A good diet also emphasizes foods such as vegetables, fruit, whole grains and dietary fiber.
Olestra supporters maintain that Olestra would help to reduce America's fat intake and in turn control America's weight problem. The sad truth is, America's weight problem hasn't gotten better since the introduction of this additive - it's worse. More than 90% of the U.S adult population reports consuming low-fat or reduced fat foods and Americans have bought more than three billion servings of snacks made with olestra, yet the number of overweight individuals continues to rise. Obesity rates have doubled in the past 20 years.
So if Olestra hasn't had any effect on America's waistlines, why is it still being used? Many believe that olestra is on its' way out. Procter & Gamble abandoned its' plan to use olestra in french fries, cheese, ice cream, and other foods and sold olestra to a smaller company. Sales of olestra-containing products have plummeted by more than 60%. Instead of looking for snacks containing olestra, consumers are making sure their products don't contain the fake fat
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