by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

If a food company develops a new product, the company cannot simply put statements on the label about the product’s health benefits. For example, statements such as “This food will lower your cholesterol” or “Eating this food will prevent dental decay” are not allowed. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must approve health-related statements on food labels.

In some cases, FDA conducts an extensive review of the scientific literature on a health topic. This is usually done when a food company or trade organization submits a petition to the FDA requesting this type of review. If, after this review, the FDA concludes that the evidence supports the health claim, they allow an “Authorized Health Claim.” An example of an Authorized Health Claim would be, “Low fat diets rich in fruits and vegetables (foods that are low in fat and may contain dietary fiber, vitamin A, or vitamin C) may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease associated with many factors. Broccoli is high in vitamin A and C, and it is a good source of dietary fiber.”

In other cases, if certain scientific bodies of the US government or the National Academy of Sciences issue a statement about the relationship between a substance in a food and a health concern, the FDA can authorize a health-related statement on a food label that agrees with the scientific body’s statement. For example, a label could read, ““Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods, and low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol may help reduce the risk of heart disease.”

In other cases, FDA may allow a “Qualified Health Claim.” This is done when there is some evidence for a relationship between a food, food component, or dietary ingredient and reduced risk of a health-related condition. There is not enough evidence for an “Authorized Health Claim.” Qualifying language must be used on the label such as “according to limited scientific evidence.” A “Qualified Health Claim” is usually the result of a food company or trade organization petitioning the FDA. An example of a Qualified Health Claim would be, “Supportive but not conclusive research shows that eating 1.5 ounces per day of walnuts, as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet and not resulting in increased caloric intake, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. See nutrition information for fat content.”

In all cases, FDA provides requirements that must be met for the food. For example, in order to have a health claim about the benefits of reducing sodium, the food must be low in sodium. FDA may also require that certain words or phrases be used in the health claim or may specify the exact wording that must be used.

So, if you pick up a package of oatmeal and notice that the label says, “As part of a heart healthy diet, the soluble fiber in oatmeal can help reduce cholesterol,” you’ve seen an example of an Authorized Health Claim.”

To read more about health claims on food labels from the FDA see:

Label Claims for Conventional Foods and Dietary Supplements

A Food Labeling Guide: Guidance for Industry (see Appendix C and Appendix D)

To read more about food labels see VRG’s articles:

Natural on a Food Label: Don’t Be Misled

Allergy Information on Food Labels

What Does Healthy on a Food Label Mean to You?

Deciphering Food Labels

What’s Going On with Daily Values on Food Labels?

More About the Updates to the Daily Values on Food Labels