5.4: Health Claims and Foods

To keep companies from making false claims, the FDA provides food manufacturers with regulations in putting labels on packages that promote health. There are three levels of health claims:

1. A health claim is supported by scientific evidence. An example is “reduces heart disease.”
2. A qualified claim has supportive evidence, which is NOT proven with scientific evidence. There is evidence to SUGGEST a health benefit, but there is no scientific evidence. An example is “Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary artery disease.” They are suggesting that this could be true, but they can’t prove it.
3. Amazingly enough, a company can claim a health benefit even though no scientific or supportive evidence exists. An example is “may boost your immune system.” However, they MUST add a disclaimer to the label that states that the FDA has not evaluated this claim.

No labels can make claims of diagnosis, cures, treatment, or disease prevention. If you find food or drinks that make wild claims of curing or treating a disease or symptom (or making you lose weight or gain muscle), note that it is NOT TRUE. These are not valid or allowed claims on food labels.

Test You Knowledge

The phrase, "reduces heart disease" on a box of cereal is a health claim that is supported by scientific evidence.

True or False

Answer

True

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