Which is true regarding nutrition claims? A Comprehensive Guide to Decoding Food Labels

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), labels with nutrition-related claims are regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure they are truthful and not misleading. However, deciphering the specific rules that govern different claim types is key for consumers seeking to make truly informed decisions.

Quick Summary

This article clarifies the different types of nutrition claims found on food packaging and outlines the regulations that govern them. It explains what to look for on labels to make informed decisions and distinguish between regulated and unproven statements.

Key Points

• Not All Claims Are Equal: Nutrition claims fall into three regulatory tiers: strictly defined nutrient content claims, heavily regulated health claims, and substantiated but less-vetted structure/function claims.

• FDA Pre-Approval Varies: Health claims linking a food to disease risk require FDA review and authorization based on significant scientific agreement, while structure/function claims do not need pre-approval for conventional foods.

• The Label is the Final Word: The most reliable and detailed information about a product's nutritional profile is in the Nutrition Facts panel and the ingredients list, not just the marketing claims on the front.

• Beware of Broad Language: Vague terms like "natural" or "healthy" are often unregulated or misleading. Always check the specific nutrient content rather than relying on generalized claims.

• Substantiation is Key: Legitimate nutrition claims are backed by credible, scientific evidence, not just personal testimonials or unsubstantiated marketing phrases.

• Compare Products Fairly: Use the "per 100g/ml" information on the nutrition label to accurately compare the nutrient content of similar products, as serving sizes can differ.

Deciphering the Three Main Categories of Nutrition Claims

To understand which is true regarding nutrition claims, it is essential to first recognize that not all claims are created equal. Regulatory bodies like the FDA categorize nutritional statements into three primary types: nutrient content claims, health claims, and structure/function claims. Each category has its own set of rules and requirements for substantiation and placement on food packaging.

Nutrient Content Claims

Nutrient content claims are statements that describe the level of a nutrient in a food using terms like "free," "low," "high," "good source," or "reduced". These claims are strictly defined by regulatory standards. Examples include:

• Free: Less than 0.5 grams of the nutrient per serving (e.g., "sugar free," "fat free").
• Low: Meets specific low thresholds, such as 140 mg or less of sodium per serving for "low sodium".
• High/Excellent Source: Provides 20% or more of the Daily Value (DV) for "excellent source" and 10-19% of the DV for "good source" per serving.
• Reduced/Less: Contains at least 25% less of a nutrient or calories compared to the regular version.

Health Claims

Health claims describe a relationship between a food substance and a reduced risk of a disease. These claims are highly regulated and require significant scientific evidence and FDA authorization.

• Authorized Health Claims: Based on strong scientific agreement and authorized by FDA regulation. An example links calcium and vitamin D to reduced osteoporosis risk.
• Qualified Health Claims: Used when evidence is emerging but not conclusive, requiring specific qualifying language to avoid misleading consumers.

Structure/Function Claims

Structure/function claims describe the role of a nutrient in affecting the body's normal structure or function. These do not require FDA pre-approval for conventional foods but need scientific substantiation. Dietary supplements using these claims must include a disclaimer that the FDA has not evaluated the claim and the product is not intended to treat disease. Examples include "calcium builds strong bones".

Comparison of Nutrition Claim Types

Feature	Nutrient Content Claims	Health Claims	Structure/Function Claims
Regulatory Approval	No FDA pre-approval needed, but must meet specific, defined criteria.	Requires FDA review and pre-approval based on significant scientific agreement (SSA).	No FDA pre-approval needed for conventional foods, but notification is required for supplements.
Scientific Evidence	Requires verification through laboratory analysis or credible databases to meet regulated thresholds.	Requires strong, conclusive scientific evidence to support the claim about reducing disease risk.	Requires substantiation, but the evidence does not need to meet the high SSA standard of health claims.
Claim Wording	Uses specific, regulated terms like "low fat," "high fiber," or "reduced sodium".	Links a food or nutrient to a reduced risk of a specific disease, e.g., "Diets high in calcium may reduce the risk of osteoporosis".	Describes the role of a nutrient on bodily functions, e.g., "Calcium builds strong bones".
Disclaimer	Generally not required.	Not required.	Required for dietary supplements to state that the FDA has not evaluated the claim.

How to Evaluate Nutrition Claims Like a Pro

1. Look beyond front-of-package claims. These are marketing tools; the detailed information is on the Nutrition Facts panel and ingredients list.
2. Compare using the "per 100g/ml" column. Standardized comparison per 100g or 100ml is more reliable than comparing by potentially misleading serving sizes.
3. Check the ingredient list. Ingredients are listed by weight. Early appearance of sugar or salt indicates a significant presence, regardless of other claims.
4. Be skeptical of vague terms. Words like "healthy" or "natural" often lack strict definitions and can be misleading. "Natural" has no regulated definition in the US, while "healthy" has specific but low thresholds for certain nutrients.
5. Seek scientific evidence, not testimonials. Credible claims are backed by peer-reviewed research or reputable organizations, not individual testimonials or celebrity endorsements.

Conclusion

Understanding which is true regarding nutrition claims involves recognizing the different types of claims and their regulatory requirements. Consumers should prioritize information from the ingredient list and the Nutrition Facts panel over front-of-package marketing. Being critical of vague language and verifying claims against concrete data empowers informed food choices.

For more detailed information on regulations and claim definitions, visit the FDA's page on Label Claims for Conventional Foods and Dietary Supplements.

Glossary of Common Claims

• "Calorie Free": Less than 5 calories per serving.
• "Good Source of": Provides at least 10% of the Daily Value of a specific nutrient.
• "High in": Provides 20% or more of the Daily Value of a specified nutrient.
• "Low Sodium": Less than 140 milligrams of sodium per serving.
• "Reduced": At least 25% less of a specified nutrient or calories than the regular version.
• "Sugar Free": Less than 0.5 grams of sugars per serving.

Sources

• FDA Regulatory Information. (2025). Food and Dietary Supplement Labeling Claims. Congress.gov.
• MenuSano. (2025). FDA Food Label Claims Guide: Health vs Nutrient vs Structure. menusano.com.
• American Heart Association. (2025). Making Sense of Food Packaging Claims. heart.org.
• MenuSano. (2025). FDA Food Label Claims Guide: Health vs Nutrient vs Structure. menusano.com.
• FDA. (2008). FDA Regulatory Requirements for Nutrient Content Claims. NCBI.
• FDA. (2024). Authorized Health Claims That Meet Significant Scientific Agreement. fda.gov.
• FDA. (2024). Label Claims for Conventional Foods and Dietary Supplements. fda.gov.
• Fiveable. (n.d.). Structure/function claims. fiveable.me.
• Datacor, Inc. (2024). Nutrient Health vs Structure/Function Claims. datacor.com.
• Eat For Health. (n.d.). How to understand food labels. eatforhealth.gov.au.
• Consumers' Checkbook. (2024). Nutrition Labels Explained. checkbook.org.
• Healthdirect. (2024). How to read food labels. healthdirect.gov.au.
• Quizlet. (n.d.). Determining Credibility of Nutritional Claims Flashcards. quizlet.com.
• NHS. (n.d.). Food labels. nhs.uk.
• Canada.ca. (n.d.). Nutrition labelling: Nutrition claims. canada.ca.
• Nourishing Bubs. (2024). What to Look Out For on Food Packaging Health Claims. nourishingbubs.com.
• Mayo Clinic Health System. (2019). 14 common food package claims. mayoclinichealthsystem.org.
• FDA. (2024). Label Claims for Conventional Foods and Dietary Supplements. fda.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a health claim and a structure/function claim?

A health claim links a food or nutrient to a reduced risk of a specific disease and requires FDA approval. A structure/function claim describes how a nutrient affects the normal function of the body, does not mention disease, and does not require FDA pre-approval for conventional foods.

Does a 'sugar free' claim mean there is no sugar in the product?

Not necessarily. A 'sugar free' claim means the product contains less than 0.5 grams of sugars per serving, but it is not completely free of all sugar content.

Are 'natural' claims on food labels regulated?

In the United States, the term 'natural' has not been formally defined by the FDA, leading to its use on products that may still contain processed ingredients. It is not as regulated as other specific nutrient content claims.

How can I check if a 'high fiber' claim is legitimate?

To be labeled 'high fiber,' a food must provide 5 or more grams of fiber per serving. You can verify this by checking the dietary fiber amount listed on the Nutrition Facts panel.

What does a 'reduced fat' claim mean for the overall healthiness of a food?

A 'reduced fat' product has at least 25% less fat than the regular version. However, it is not always a healthier option, as manufacturers may add extra sugar or salt to compensate for flavor, so you should always check the Nutrition Facts panel.

Do testimonials on packaging prove a product's nutritional claim?

No, testimonials are not scientific evidence. Credible nutrition claims are supported by scientific research from reputable organizations, not personal anecdotes or celebrity endorsements.

What is a 'qualified health claim'?

A qualified health claim is used when there is emerging but not yet conclusive scientific evidence for a substance-disease relationship. It includes specific qualifying language to prevent misleading consumers about the strength of the evidence.