Consumer Health Information for Better Nutrition Initiative
The FDA, in collaboration with the FTC and the National Institutes of Health,
has taken significant steps to encourage an expanded use of diet specific health
messages. This change resulted from the belief that public health improvement
can be achieved when consumers can identify the health consequences of their
dietary choices.
The FDA outlined a less constrained framework for the review of health messages
as part of its Consumer Health Information for Better Nutrition Initiative.
The benefit of eating the 5 cups of fruits and vegetables recommended for most
active adults and teens every day to reduce the risk of some cancers and other
chronic illnesses was highlighted as one of three key areas for FDA focus.
This initiative makes it easier for the industry to promote the health benefits
of fruits and vegetables.
Central to this is the use of truthful and not misleading health messages
on product labels that may influence consumer knowledge and dietary choices.
Diet specific health messages fall into four main categories:
1. Health Claims: messages that are specifically about the relationship between
a substance and a disease that must be reviewed and authorized by the FDA (e.g.,
Calcium may reduce the risk of osteoporosis).
2. Structure/Function Claims: messages that highlight how the food substance
works within or otherwise supports the body. These messages do not have
to be pre-reviewed by the FDA but must be truthful, substantiated and
not misleading.
(e.g., Calcium helps build strong bones).
3. Nutrient Content Claims: messages that describe the level of a nutrient
in a food.
(e.g., Low in saturated fat, high in potassium, good source of vitamin
A).
4. Dietary Guidance Statements: messages that focus on general dietary
patterns, practices, and recommendations that promote health. These
messages also do
not have to be pre-reviewed by the FDA but must be truthful, substantiated
and not misleading. (e.g., Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may
reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases).
