Since implementing the warning, the agency received 20,000 reports of gastrointestinal complaints from olestra consumers but, this year, concluded that olestra's effects were mild and rare. FDA based the decision on a study that monitored 3,000 consumers over a six-week period after eating snacks containing olestra or snacks that the consumer believed contained the ingredient but, in fact, did not. Negligible differences were found.
Kenneth Cooper, M.D., an expert on health, nutrition and exercise, created the nutritional guidelines that Frito-Lay products must meet to be eligible for the Smart Snack ribbon label. Among them are 150 or fewer calories; less than 35% of calories from fat (usually 5g or less), less than 7% of calories from saturated fat (usually 1g or less), 0g of trans fats and 240mg of sodium or less per 1oz.-serving. The new label follows Frito-Lay's elimination of partially hydrogenated cooking oils from its Doritos, Tostitos and Cheetos brands. These, along with Lay's and Ruffles potato chips, were produced with trans fat-free oils.