Glucomannan (konjac flour) added to FDA list of dietary fibers
The FDA has granted a citizen petition requesting that glucomannan (found in the root of the elephant yam, also known as the konjac plant) be added to the list of ingredients classified as dietary fiber on US food and supplement labels.
Dietary fiber that can be declared on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts labels include certain naturally occuring fibers that are «intrinsic and intact» in plants and added isolated or synthetic non-digestible soluble and insoluble carbohydrates that the FDA has determined have physiological effects that benefit human health.
Glucomannan got the green light following an FDA review of nine relevant clinical studies, six of which demonstrated a physiological benefit to consuming glucomannan in the form of a reduction in total and/or LDL cholesterol.