A similar claim will be allowed for foods containing significant amounts of oat bran or whole oat flour.
Oats are an excellent source of soluble fiber.
As soluble fiber moves through the gut, it collects water and forms a gel. This interferes with the absorption or metabolism of cholesterol, thus helping to lower blood cholesterol levels. Since too much cholesterol in the blood is associated with increased risk of heart attacks, anything that lowers cholesterol is thought to reduce the risk of heart disease. However, to be effective, oats need to be consumed as part of a total diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. The FDA set in place the opportunity for manufacturers to petition to make health claims on food labels with the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990.