Categories of health claims

 Health claims

 Health claims are amplified or explicit statement about relationship of food substance to diseases or health related conditions.

Health claims are defined or regulated by U.S. food and drug administration FDA.

Categories of health claims:

Qualified health claim

NLEA Authorized health claim

Nutrient content claim

Structural and functional claim

Nutrient content claim:

Describe content of certain nutrients.

e.g.  fat free, low sodium 

Nutrient content claims or headings are statements or descriptions on food labels that highlight the nutritional content or characteristics of a product. These claims can help consumers make informed choices about the foods they purchase and consume. Nutrient content claims typically focus on specific nutrients or components of a food product. Here are some common nutrient content claims and what they mean:

Fat-Free: This claim means that the product contains less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving.

Low-Fat: This claim indicates that the product has a reduced amount of fat compared to a similar product. The specific criteria for being labeled as "low-fat" may vary by country and product category.

Low-Calorie: Products labeled as low-calorie typically contain a reduced number of calories per serving compared to a standard reference product.

Reduced Sodium: This claim is used when a product contains at least 25% less sodium compared to a similar product.

Sugar-Free: It means the product contains less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving.

High in Fiber: This claim indicates that the product is a good source of dietary fiber, which is important for digestive health.

Good Source of Protein: It suggests that the product provides a significant amount of protein per serving.

Vitamin-Enriched: This claim indicates that the product has been fortified with additional vitamins.

Mineral-Rich: This claim suggests that the product is a good source of specific minerals like calcium or iron.

Antioxidant: It implies that the product contains compounds that act as antioxidants, which can help protect the body from oxidative damage.

Whole Grain: This claim is used for products made with whole grains, indicating that they are a healthier option compared to refined grains.

Organic: This label indicates that the product was produced using organic farming practices, which often involve restrictions on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

It's important to note that the criteria for making these claims can vary by region and are regulated by government agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States or the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the European Union. Food manufacturers must meet specific criteria and provide accurate information when making these claims to ensure that consumers are not misled about the nutritional content of the product.

Qualified health claim:

Describe relationship between food, food components, dietary supplements and reduced risk of disease or health related conditions. This claim uses qualifying language because evidence for this relationship is not yet strong to meet standard of significant scientific advancement set by FDA.

e.g. Some scientific evidence suggest that consumption of antioxidant vitamins may reduce risk of certain form of cancers.

NLEA Authorized health claim:

Characterized relationship between food, food component, dietary ingredients or dietary supplements and risk of  diseases.

e.g. Diet high in calcium may reduce risk of osteoporosis.

Structural and functional claim:

Describe role of nutrient or ingredient intended to effect normal structure or function in human. It means how nutrient or ingredient effect structure or function. Must be accompanied by a disclaimer that FDA has not reviewed the claim and product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

e.g. calcium builds strong bones.

What are health claims?

What are categories of health claims?