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E. CAMPBELL, A.A.C. Consulting Group, Inc., 7475 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

A definition of "dietary fiber" must attempt to meet the diverse needs of the numerous groups who will use it. Developers of fiber ingredients from nonconventional sources want a definition broad enough to encompass their specific ingredients so that they can access the marketing benefits of the nutrition label and nutrient claims. Among food manufacturers who want to make claims about dietary fiber, some want a narrow definition to cover only the components inherent in their products, while others want to add fiber ingredients to their foods and would benefit from the broader definition. Health professionals who advise patients on general healthy diets need a definition that encompasses components that have similar and preferably familiar health effects. Consumers have some familiarity with the concept that adequate fiber in the diet helps maintain regularity and may have other benefits. However, patients with specific health problems would benefit most from a definition limited to components for which there are sufficient data to allow reliable advice on specific benefits. Regulators need to ensure that the food components declared on the label as dietary fiber provide the health benefits envisioned in the recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The food components underlying the label information must be consistent with the scientific basis for recommendations for increased intake of fiber. Also, regulators need a definition that encompasses only components that are easily and reliably measured. If a new definition for "dietary fiber" is to be crafted, it must balance diverse needs. This paper will identify major user groups, describe the kinds of needs they have for the term "dietary fiber," and discuss some approaches to achieving the necessary balance of users' needs.