WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration has approved the safe use of vitamin D2 as a nutrient supplement in soy-based food products, according to a March 16 listing in the Federal Register. Written or electronic objections and requests for a hearing must be submitted by April 15.

The action is in response to a petition filed by Dean Foods, Horsham, Pa., and published in the Oct. 4, 2007, Federal Register. It proposed to amend the food additive regulations in part 172 "Food Additives Permitted for Direct Addition to Food for Human Consumption." The petition pertained only to the use of crystalline vitamin D2 and not the resin form. Products identified were soy beverages, soy beverage products, soy-based butter substitute spreads, soy-based cheese substitutes and soy-based cheese substitute products.