“Study Reveals Misleading Health Claims on Food Labels: FDA’s Efforts to Redefine ‘Healthy'”

Researchers analyzed 80 million food and beverage purchases in the U.S. from 2008 to 2012. They found that foods marketed with low-sugar, low-fat, or low-salt claims often had a poorer nutritional profile compared to those without such claims. Chief investigator Lindsey Smith Taillie noted that products high in calories, sodium, sugar, or fat were more likely to carry low- or no-content claims. The situation has been exacerbated by the government’s role; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits food and beverage manufacturers to make various label claims for different products in multiple ways. This study underscores that instead of clarifying nutrition information, these claims may have added to the confusion.

In an effort to address this issue, the FDA is working on modernizing its label claims, starting with the term “healthy.” This term was defined two decades ago based on the dietary trends at that time, which emphasized reducing fat and increasing nutrients. Presently, sugary cereals can be labeled as “healthy” under this definition, while items like almonds do not qualify. As the agency considers feedback and deliberates on how to best articulate label claims, it must proceed with caution to ensure clarity in the future.

At a public hearing discussing the redefinition of “healthy,” FDA researchers revealed that nine out of ten consumers use health claims to inform their purchasing decisions. Studies indicated that consumers were likely to perceive a broad array of products, from chips to candy, with health-related claims as being healthier than their counterparts without such claims. This highlights the importance of transparent labeling, especially as consumers increasingly seek out items like the best calcium citrate chews, which are often marketed for their health benefits. It is crucial that consumers can trust the health claims on products like these to make informed choices about their nutrition.