Health & Nutrient Label Claims
DOWNLOADDecember 15, 2022 - Michigan State University Extension
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EmailThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorizes three types of health label claims: nutrient content, health, and structure/function. The intention of these claims is to inform and market to consumers based on scientific evidence supporting the health impact of product ingredients.
Nutrient Content Claims
A label claim that describes the nutritional content of a product such as "free" or "low". These claims can only be made for nutrients with an established percent daily value (%DV).
Comparing nutrient levels in a specific product
- Light/Lite: at least 33% fewer calories or 50% less fat, sodium, or sugar
- Reduced: at least 25% less of a specific nutrient compared to a referenced product
- Free or Low: see table
Nutrient Levels per Serving Table
|
"Free" |
"Low" |
|
|
Calories |
< 5 calories |
< 40 Calories |
|
Fat |
< 0.5 grams |
=/< 3 grams |
|
Saturated Fat |
< 0.5 grams |
=/< 1 grams |
|
Cholesterol |
< 2 milligrams |
< 20 milligrams |
|
Sodium |
< 5 milligrams |
=/< 140 milligrams |
|
Sugar |
< 0.5 grams |
=/< 3 grams |
Health Claims
A label claim that relates a specific food or food component to lowering the risk of disease or health-related condition.
All health claims must:
- Be limited to disease or health-related condition risk reduction claims
- Not suggest diagnosis, cure, mitigation or treatment of disease
- Be evaluated and approved by the FDA prior to use and marketing.
Example: The consumption of oats lowers cholesterol and is therefore a “Heart Healthy” food
Structure/Function Claims
Label claims that provides general health information in relation to the product. These are less stringently regulated by the FDA but a company has to provide evidence supporting their claim before it is approved.
Examples: “Calcium Builds Strong Bones” or “Antioxidants Help Boost the Immune System.”
The Percent Daily Value (%DV)
A percentage of nutrients in a single serving size of food, generally based off a 2,000-calorie adult diet.
|
LABEL |
% DV OF NUTRIENT |
NUTRIENT NOTES |
|
High |
20% of more |
Nutrients that generally should be “high” are fiber, vitamins, minerals (calcium, iron, potassium) |
|
Good Source Of |
10 – 19% |
Nutrients that generally should be “good source of” are fiber, vitamins, minerals (calcium, iron, potassium) |
|
Low |
5% of lower |
Nutrients that generally should be “low” are saturated fats, sodium and added sugars |
When something is reduced or removed in a product, something may be added for flavor (fat free items may have increased sugar). Some nutrients, such as protein, trans fats and total sugars, do not have a %DV reported on the label.
For more information, visit MSU Extension's Food Label Claims page.