To the Editor:

In response to the editorial board’s “Rely On Ourselves, Not Science” opinion on Olestra and other synthetic food substitutes, I have to ask if anyone in the Daily office looked beyond their desk for a complete and fair basis on the formation of their opinion.

Consumption in moderation is a good thing, and is something which we as Americans need to learn how to do. Olestra, or sucrose polyester, is formed by reacting sucrose (common table sugar) with fatty acids (found in all dietary fats) to produce a material similar to dietary fats. This product is not digestible.

The fact that the general public might see products with Olestra in them as a means to gorge on “fatty foods; this behavior may magnify potential risks of displacing fat soluble vitamins in a balanced diet,is true.

However, Proctor and Gamble has been solving this problem ever since they began research on Olestra by fortification with the two vitamins which Olestra inhibits from absorption by the body, namely vitamins A and E. The “super laxative” properties of the product as a result from its overconsumption have also been solved to a very acceptable degree.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of the approval of Olestra would be to hypercholesterolemics and those genetically predisposed for coronary heart disease, who could finally enjoy the consumption of foods the average person takes for granted.

This is the same for diabetics who enjoy the presence of saccharin and Nutrasweet on their grocer’s shelves.

For the average consumer, these synthetics can be seen as a boon or a bane, but that depends on whether the individual will see these opportunities as a means to take advantage of a situation, or to respect these gifts of science and use them in moderation.

I hope that the latter will win out, and even if some choose to misuse a product, that the choice will remain available to those who will use these products wisely.

Jeff Casper

Senior

Food Science and Technology