What is an example of a health claim on a nutrition label? Understanding Your Food Choices

October 29, 2025 •

3 min read

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has, since the early 1990s, set rigorous standards for nutrition and health claims on food packaging to prevent misleading consumers. Understanding what is an example of a health claim on a nutrition label? is crucial for making informed dietary decisions beyond just reading the Nutrition Facts panel. Health claims link a food or nutrient to a reduced risk of a disease or health-related condition, but they are not all created equally.

Quick Summary

Health claims on nutrition labels inform consumers about the relationship between a food or nutrient and a reduced risk of a specific disease. The FDA authorizes or qualifies these claims based on the strength of scientific evidence. Different from nutrient content or structure/function claims, health claims help guide dietary choices by providing evidence-backed information on disease risk reduction.

Key Points

Authorized Health Claim: An authorized health claim, such as “Adequate calcium may reduce the risk of osteoporosis,” links a substance to a reduced disease risk based on strong scientific evidence.
Qualified Health Claim: A qualified health claim uses specific qualifying language, like “Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove...” to indicate less conclusive scientific support.
Distinction from Other Claims: Health claims differ from nutrient content claims (“low fat”) and structure/function claims (“calcium builds strong bones”) in purpose and regulatory oversight.
FDA Regulation: The FDA meticulously reviews and authorizes specific health claims, while qualified claims are allowed with specific qualifying statements.
Informed Consumerism: Savvy consumers use health claims as a guide but verify details on the Nutrition Facts panel, checking for added sugars or sodium in products making healthy claims.
Focus on the Full Label: Don't rely on one claim; review the entire label, including the ingredient list and the % Daily Value, for a comprehensive understanding of the product's nutritional profile.

Demystifying Health Claims: What to Look For

Health claims on food labels can be powerful tools for guiding your purchasing decisions, but they are just one of several types of claims you might see. It's important to understand the distinctions and the levels of evidence required for each. The FDA classifies health claims into two primary categories: authorized and qualified. Both are distinct from other promotional language like nutrient content and structure/function claims.

The Authorized Health Claim: An Example

Authorized health claims have a high level of scientific support, known as “significant scientific agreement” (SSA). A clear example of an authorized health claim on a nutrition label is: “Adequate calcium throughout life, as part of a well-balanced diet, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.” This claim, often found on dairy and fortified products, directly links calcium to a reduced risk of osteoporosis. The FDA's authorization process for these claims is rigorous. Another example related to heart health is: “Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include soluble fiber from psyllium seed husk may reduce the risk of heart disease.”. These claims provide reliable, science-backed information.

The Qualified Health Claim: Balancing Evidence

Qualified health claims are supported by scientific evidence but do not meet the SSA standard of authorized claims. They must include specific language to indicate the uncertainty of the evidence.

Comparing Different Types of Nutrition Claims

Understanding the differences between claims is crucial for informed choices. The table below compares common types.


Claim Type	Purpose	Level of Regulation	Examples	How to Interpret
Authorized Health Claim	Links a substance to a reduced risk of a specific disease.	Requires significant scientific agreement (SSA) and FDA approval.	{Link: ChemSafe-Consulting.com https://www.chemsafe-consulting.com/2025/01/28/understanding-health-claims-fda-authorization-and-qualification/}	Highly reliable; strong scientific consensus.
Qualified Health Claim	Links a substance to a reduced risk of a specific disease, but with less conclusive evidence.	Requires qualifying language approved by the FDA; based on supportive but not conclusive evidence.	{Link: ChemSafe-Consulting.com https://www.chemsafe-consulting.com/2025/01/28/understanding-health-claims-fda-authorization-and-qualification/}	Represents emerging evidence; read the qualifiers carefully.
Nutrient Content Claim	Describes the level of a nutrient or dietary substance in the product.	Must meet FDA-defined criteria for specific terms like “low,” “high,” “free,” and “reduced.”	“Low-fat,” “High-fiber,” “Sugar-free.”	Objective information about nutrient levels; check the serving size.
Structure/Function Claim	Describes how a nutrient or dietary ingredient affects the normal structure or function of the body.	Does not require FDA pre-approval but must be truthful and not misleading. Requires a disclaimer on supplements.	“Calcium builds strong bones,” “Fiber promotes regularity.”	Supports general well-being; cannot mention disease prevention or treatment.

How to Use Label Claims for a Healthier Diet

Using claims effectively means understanding their limitations and checking the full label. Claims are marketing tools, so always refer to the Nutrition Facts panel for detailed information on calories, fat, sugar, and other nutrients. A "low-fat" product might still be high in sugar. Look at the ingredient list and the overall nutrient profile; for instance, organic doesn't automatically mean healthier. Remember that health claims are intended to be part of a healthy diet, not a standalone solution.

Conclusion: The Informed Consumer's Advantage

Recognizing the types of health claims on nutrition labels empowers consumers. Authorized claims offer strong scientific backing, while qualified claims provide insights from emerging research with necessary disclaimers. These differ significantly from nutrient content and structure/function claims. By reviewing claims alongside the Nutrition Facts panel, ingredient list, and % Daily Value, consumers can make better-informed decisions about their food choices and work towards their health goals.

For additional guidance on reading and understanding nutrition labels, consult the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's official resources on their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the most common examples of an authorized health claim is the relationship between adequate calcium intake and the reduced risk of osteoporosis. This claim can be found on products like dairy foods and fortified juices.

The main difference lies in the level of scientific agreement. Authorized claims are based on significant scientific consensus, while qualified claims are supported by emerging evidence but do not meet that higher standard and must include qualifying language.

No, a health claim can only discuss the reduced risk of a disease. Claims that mention treating, curing, or mitigating a disease are considered drug claims and are regulated differently by the FDA.

Structure/function claims do not require FDA approval before being used on product labels. However, they must be truthful and not misleading. For dietary supplements, they must also carry a disclaimer stating that the FDA has not evaluated the claim.

A health claim links a nutrient to a disease risk, like 'oat fiber may reduce the risk of heart disease.' A nutrient content claim, like 'high-fiber,' simply describes the amount of a nutrient in the food, without mentioning a disease.

The qualifying language, such as “Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove,” is a signal to consumers that the scientific backing is not as strong as an authorized claim. It's a reminder to read the claim carefully and consider the broader context of a healthy diet.

The term “healthy” on a food label is a nutrient content claim that has specific FDA criteria. Generally, it refers to foods that are low in saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol, and contain certain beneficial nutrients. However, a quick check of the Nutrition Facts panel is always wise.