Understanding What Food Products Have a Health Claim

December 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the FDA, a health claim explicitly or implicitly states a relationship between a food component and a reduced risk of a disease or health-related condition. Navigating these claims on packaged goods requires understanding the regulations, which helps identify exactly what food products have a health claim and why.

Quick Summary

This article explores the types of health claims on food labels, including qualified and unqualified claims, along with specific product examples like oats, nuts, and fortified dairy. It clarifies the regulations set by agencies such as the FDA.

Key Points

Differentiate Claims: Health claims link a food substance to disease risk reduction, while nutrient content claims describe nutrient levels (e.g., 'low-fat').
Common Examples: Products like oats, fatty fish, soy products, and fortified dairy often carry regulated health claims for benefits like lowering cholesterol or promoting bone health.
Regulatory Scrutiny: Claims are overseen by government agencies like the FDA, with some requiring pre-market approval for scientific substantiation.
Read the Label: Relying solely on front-of-package marketing is unwise; scrutinize the Nutrition Facts panel and ingredients list for the full picture.
Not All Claims Are Equal: Claims based on significant scientific agreement carry more weight than self-substantiated or structure/function claims.
Stay Informed: Changes in regulations, such as the FDA's new 'healthy' definition, affect which products can carry certain claims.

Decoding Health Claims on Food Packaging

When browsing grocery aisles, shoppers are faced with countless products boasting health benefits, from lowering cholesterol to boosting immunity. But what do these claims truly mean, and how are they regulated? The world of food labeling is complex, governed by agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Understanding the different categories of claims—specifically health claims, nutrient content claims, and structure/function claims—is crucial for making informed dietary decisions.

Types of Claims and Regulatory Oversight

There are three primary types of claims found on food and dietary supplement labels:

Health Claims: These directly link a food component to reducing the risk of a disease or health-related condition. The claim must be supported by significant scientific agreement.
Nutrient Content Claims: These describe the level of a nutrient in the product, using terms like 'low-fat', 'high-fiber', or 'sugar-free'. These terms are strictly defined by regulatory bodies.
Structure/Function Claims: These describe the role of a nutrient or dietary ingredient in maintaining normal body functions. They are often less regulated than health claims and typically must be accompanied by a disclaimer stating the FDA has not evaluated the claim.

Regulators ensure that any health claims are substantiated by scientific evidence. This process is rigorous for high-level claims (pre-market approval) and may allow for manufacturer self-substantiation for general claims, which is then subject to review.

Specific Examples: What Food Products Have a Health Claim?

Many common foods carry approved health claims, providing consumers with targeted benefits. Here is a list of some examples:

Oats and Soluble Fiber: The soluble fiber, beta-glucan, found in oats and psyllium husk has a qualified health claim for reducing the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol. This is why oatmeal and certain cereals often feature heart-shaped logos.
Soy Protein: Foods containing soy protein, such as tofu, soy milk, and edamame, can carry a claim linking their consumption to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. The claim is based on soy's ability to lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA): Found in fatty fish like salmon and sardines, as well as in some fortified foods, these polyunsaturated fats have an approved health claim for reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
Nuts: Walnuts and other nuts, when consumed as part of a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet, can carry a qualified health claim regarding the reduced risk of heart disease.
Phytosterols: These plant-based compounds, sometimes added to products like certain margarines and yogurts, have a health claim for lowering blood cholesterol.
Calcium and Vitamin D: Dairy products like milk and yogurt, as well as fortified alternatives, often state that adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D throughout life may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Folic Acid: Cereals, breads, and other grain products fortified with folic acid can carry a claim concerning a reduced risk of neural tube birth defects when consumed by women of childbearing age.
Probiotics: Certain yogurts and fermented foods containing live active cultures can make claims about supporting digestive health by promoting a healthy gut microbiome.

Comparison Table: Health Claims vs. Nutrient Content Claims


Feature	Health Claims	Nutrient Content Claims
Focus	Relationship between a food substance and a disease/health-related condition.	Level of a specific nutrient or substance in the food.
Examples	"Soluble fiber from oats may reduce heart disease risk."	"Low in saturated fat" or "High in fiber".
Scientific Basis	Requires significant scientific agreement for unqualified claims.	Defined by established criteria, such as maximum or minimum levels.
Approval Process	Varies by regulatory body; high-level claims often require pre-market approval.	Criteria must be met; no specific product-by-product approval is needed if conditions are met.
Wording	Must explicitly link a substance to a health outcome.	Uses specific, regulated terms like 'low', 'high', 'good source', 'free'.
Context	Often includes a qualifying statement about a healthy diet.	Doesn't typically require contextual information beyond the nutrient level.

Navigating the Claims: A Guide for Consumers

While health claims can be a helpful guide, it's essential for consumers to be critical. Not all claims are created equal, and some may be self-substantiated by the manufacturer with less rigorous scientific review than others. The overall nutritional profile of a food is also critical. A product might be 'low-fat' but high in sugar, for example. The FDA has updated its 'healthy' definition to address such issues, requiring foods to meet thresholds for added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat while containing a meaningful amount of a food group. This change helps prevent misleading labels on products like heavily sweetened cereals.

To make the best choices, consumers should always read the Nutrition Facts panel and the ingredients list, not just rely on front-of-package claims. Understanding the source of a claim (e.g., specific fiber, vitamin, or mineral) and whether it's a qualified or unqualified claim can provide deeper insight into its validity. For authoritative information on specific claims, the FDA website is a valuable resource.

Conclusion

Understanding what food products have a health claim is key to navigating the modern grocery store. Health claims are not just marketing buzzwords; they are regulated statements designed to inform consumers about the potential health benefits of certain foods. By distinguishing between different types of claims, such as those related to disease risk reduction and simple nutrient content, and by cross-referencing information on the Nutrition Facts panel, consumers can make more empowered and informed decisions about their dietary health. The landscape of food labeling is continually evolving, and staying educated is the best way to ensure your food choices align with your health goals.

More information on FDA-regulated claims can be found on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website.

Frequently Asked Questions

A health claim links a food substance to a reduced risk of a disease or health condition (e.g., 'oats may reduce heart disease risk'), while a nutrient content claim describes the level of a nutrient (e.g., 'low-fat').

Not all. The FDA evaluates 'unqualified' health claims, requiring significant scientific agreement. Some 'qualified' health claims, which have less scientific support, are still allowed but must include a qualifying statement.

No, it's best to be critical. Always check the Nutrition Facts panel and ingredients list. Some products, like sweetened cereals, were historically labeled 'healthy' but may not meet newer, stricter criteria.

Foods with approved heart health claims include oats, products containing soy protein, fatty fish rich in omega-3s, and some nuts, which can help lower cholesterol or reduce disease risk.

Functional foods contain components with specific physiological functions that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Health claims are the regulated statements made on these products to communicate these benefits, like probiotics in yogurt for gut health.

Regulations vary by region. In the EU, for example, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluates health claim applications. The final decision rests with the European Commission.

An example is the claim relating walnuts to heart disease risk, which is a 'qualified' claim based on the FDA’s criteria. It is allowed but must be accompanied by additional explanatory language.