The proposed regulation of health claims for foods in the USA and Europe has already stirred up a storm of protest over the health claims of various omega-3 fatty acids, The Economist in London, England reported. Jack Winkler of the Nutrition Policy Unit at London Metropolitan University says the proposed regulation would legalize deception of consumers about the healthfulness of omega-3 fatty acids and actually make the public’s health worse. Currently companies are allowed to advertise that a product is high in omega-3 fatty acids without differentiating whether these are long-chain or short-chain omega-3's. Short chain omega-3 fatty acids come from plant oils such as flax seed, olives, sunflowers and soybeans and are of questionable health value. It is the long chain omega-3's from fish oil and grassfed meats and milk that reduce the inflammation associated with many diseases including strokes and arthritis. Currently, most "health" food products are adding cheap short chain omega-3's to create their health "story." Also, some food products have the correct long chain omega-3's but are much higher in omega -6. For example, margarine made from plant oils was promoted as a healthy alternative to saturated fat butter while ignoring that margarine is very high in omega 6, while grassfed butter is a good source of healthful long-chain omega-3. The Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the European Union said the labeling of omega-3 should make it clear which type is contained in a product. Albert Flynn of the European Food Safety Authority said this issue will take care of itself under the proposed regulations because only those products with long chain omega-3's will be able to provide any evidence to support health claims.