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Mann & Truswell: Essentials of Human Nutrition 3e

May 2009

Fourth update, May 2009

The definition of 'dietary fibre'

Controversies regarding a range of carbohydrate related issues continue. Perhaps the most important current issue relates to the definition of 'dietary fibre'. Given the many potential health benefits of fibre rich foods, food manufacturers are keen to advertise products as high in fibre. The definition of dietary fibre was finally agreed after many years of debate by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CNFSDU) at its meeting in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2008. A 'viewpoint' relating to the Codex decision and its implications has been published in the third issue of Volume 19 of the journal: Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases, which is available via the following links:
PubMed: 19282160
Full-text doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2009.02.002 (please note: you may require an institutional subscription to access the full-text).

Ref: Mann JI, Cummings JH. Possible implications for health of the different definitions of dietary fibre. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2009; 19: 226-229.