POSTMARKET SURVEILLANCE TO DETERMINE NUTRITIONAL IMPACT OF MACRONUTRIENT SUBSTITUTES

The nutritional impact of a macronutrient substitute can only be deter mined after the substitute has been approved for use in foods and ther e is widespread use by the population over time. Modeling and experime ntal studies have predictive value, but they cannot replace real life in which the choice of foods is influenced by labeling and advertising aimed at promoting consumption on the basis of reduced sugar, fat, an d/or energy. impacts could include alterations in the energy distribut ion of the diet and changes in the intakes of essential nutrients, For this reason, postmarket surveillance (PMS) of consumption patterns of macronutrient substitutes has been proposed as a condition of approva l of macronutrient substitutes and/or extending permitted uses. PMS sh ould be conducted on a representative sample of the population, should allow comparisons over time, and should collect data on food consumpt ion patterns, nutrient intakes, and frequency of consumption of macron utrient substitutes. This is a more detailed and costly form of PMS th an measuring actual product consumption. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.