THE BATTLE OVER OLESTRA IS FINISHED. After decades of study and deliberation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has made its long-awaited decision on the controversial fake fat, which was featured three weeks ago on the cover of TIME. The federal agency announced last week that it was approving the use of olestra--with conditions.
The so-called fat-free fat, which passes through the digestive tract without being absorbed and thus adds no fat and no fat calories to food, can be used only in savory snacks, like potato chips, crackers and tortilla chips. The data, explains FDA Commissioner David Kessler, "demonstrate reasonable...