What is the nutrition and health claim of the product?

January 4, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a serving size on a food label is often smaller than what people actually consume. This makes understanding what is the nutrition and health claim of the product critically important for making informed and healthy choices beyond just serving size data.

Quick Summary

Nutrition and health claims on food labels communicate specific product characteristics, but understanding their differences and regulatory backing is vital for consumers. These statements range from simple nutrient content information to complex, scientifically-substantiated health benefits, all designed to influence purchasing decisions.

Key Points

Claim Definition: Nutrition claims detail a food's nutrient content (e.g., 'low fat'), while health claims link a food or nutrient to a health benefit (e.g., 'calcium for strong bones').
Regulatory Control: Claims are strictly regulated by bodies like the FDA and EFSA to ensure they are scientifically substantiated and not misleading.
Types of Health Claims: Health claims are categorized as general (effect on normal bodily function) or high-level (link to a serious disease), with the latter requiring more rigorous approval.
Verification is Key: Informed consumers should verify claims by examining the Nutrition Facts panel and ingredient list, as a single positive claim doesn't guarantee overall healthiness.
Avoid Misleading Language: Look for specific, regulated claims over vague marketing terms like 'healthy' or 'superfood,' which offer little concrete information.
Compare Products Fairly: When comparing nutrient claims between products, use the 'per 100g' or 'per 100ml' values to account for varying serving sizes.

Decoding Food Labels: Understanding Product Claims

Food labels can be a dense and confusing source of information. Beyond the basic Nutrition Facts panel, manufacturers often add voluntary statements known as nutrition and health claims. These claims are designed to highlight specific product attributes, but they are also strictly regulated to prevent consumers from being misled. A clear understanding of these claims is essential for making smart dietary choices.

What are Nutrition Content Claims?

Nutrition content claims describe the level or amount of a nutrient or other substance in a food. They provide specific details about the food's composition and must meet strict, pre-defined criteria to be used.

Common examples of nutrition content claims include:

"Low in Fat": The product contains a low amount of total fat per serving.
"High in Fibre": The food is a good source of dietary fibre, often providing 20% or more of the Daily Value per serving.
"Sugar-Free": There is less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving.
"Good Source of Calcium": Indicates the food provides at least 10-19% of the Daily Value for calcium per serving.
"Reduced Sodium": Contains at least 25% less sodium than a comparable standard product.

These claims are generally straightforward and are based on the nutrient quantities listed in the mandatory Nutrition Facts panel. For comparative claims, like "reduced," the label must also state the percentage difference.

What are Health Claims?

Health claims suggest a relationship between a food, a food component, or a dietary supplement and a reduced risk of a disease or a health-related condition. These are more complex and require a high degree of scientific agreement and regulatory approval before they can be used. There are typically two types of health claims:

General Level Health Claims: These link a food substance to its effect on normal bodily functions. An example is "Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth". These are often based on a list of pre-approved food-health relationships.
High-Level Health Claims: These link a food substance to a serious disease or a biomarker of a serious disease. A well-known example is "Diets high in calcium and vitamin D may reduce the risk of osteoporosis". These claims require rigorous pre-market approval from regulatory bodies.

The Importance of Regulation

To prevent manufacturers from making misleading or unsubstantiated claims, regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) impose strict rules. For example, a claim cannot be made on unhealthy foods, even if they contain a beneficial nutrient. The regulations also prevent claims that suggest a food can cure a disease or that a varied diet is insufficient. Consumers should look for clear, specific claims backed by credible sources rather than vague or sensationalist phrasing.

How to Verify and Interpret Claims

Being an informed consumer means looking beyond the front of the package. The ingredient list and the Nutrition Facts panel provide the factual basis for any claims made. When you see a claim like "High in Vitamin C," check the Nutrition Facts to see the percentage Daily Value (DV) per serving. Remember that a food can be high in one beneficial nutrient while still being high in undesirable components like sugar or saturated fat. Comparing products on a "per 100g" or "per 100ml" basis can help standardize your comparison since serving sizes can vary widely between brands.

Nutrition Claims vs. Health Claims: A Comparison


Feature	Nutrition Content Claim	Health Claim
Focus	Amount of a nutrient or substance in a food.	Relationship between a food and health.
Examples	"Low Fat," "High Fibre," "No Added Sugar."	"Calcium for healthy bones," "Lowers cholesterol."
Required Evidence	Must meet specified quantitative criteria for nutrient content.	Requires significant scientific agreement and, for high-level claims, pre-market approval.
Regulatory Scope	Regulated by rules specifying nutrient levels.	Regulated by rules specifying health effects and scientific backing.
Complexity	Generally straightforward and objective.	More complex, involving scientific interpretation.
Labeling Impact	Requires a corresponding Nutrition Facts panel.	Requires a statement on the importance of a healthy diet.

Conclusion

Understanding what is the nutrition and health claim of the product is an important skill for any health-conscious consumer. Nutrition claims provide factual data on a food's composition, while health claims propose a scientifically-backed link to a health benefit. By scrutinizing these statements, verifying them against the Nutrition Facts panel, and considering the product as a whole, you can make smarter food purchasing decisions. Always prioritize a balanced diet over a product based solely on a single claim, and consult reliable sources like the FDA or a registered dietitian for clarification. For more information on health claims, visit the official FDA website.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 'low-fat' claim means the product meets a specific threshold for low-fat content (e.g., less than 3g fat per 100g), while a 'reduced-fat' claim means the product contains at least 25% less fat than its standard comparable product.

Legitimate health claims are specific, scientifically backed, and regulated by government bodies like the FDA or EFSA. Avoid vague claims, and for disease-risk claims, look for an official statement about scientific consensus and approval.

Not necessarily. A 'sugar-free' product contains less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving but could still contain artificial sweeteners, high calories, or high levels of fat. Always check the full Nutrition Facts panel.

A 'good source of' claim indicates that one serving of the product provides 10% to 19% of the Daily Value for a specific vitamin, mineral, or nutrient.

Yes, nutrition and health claims are voluntary statements made by food manufacturers. However, if a claim is made, it must comply with all relevant food regulations and standards.

A nutrient function claim is a type of general health claim that describes the physiological role of a nutrient in the body, such as 'Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue'.

In many jurisdictions, including the EU, drinks containing more than 1.2% alcohol by volume cannot bear health claims. They may, however, carry nutrition claims related to reduced alcohol or energy content.