Researchers analyzed 80 million food and beverage purchases in the United States from 2008 to 2012. They found that foods marketed with low-sugar, low-fat, or low-salt claims often had a poorer nutritional profile than those without such claims. According to chief investigator Lindsey Smith Taillie, products that are high in calories, sugar, or fat are more likely to feature low- or no-content claims. The situation has become quite confusing, and the government holds significant responsibility for this. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits food and beverage manufacturers to make various types of label claims in different manners for different products. This study highlights that these claims may have exacerbated the confusion surrounding nutritional information rather than clarified it.
The FDA is currently working on modernizing its labeling claims, starting with the term “healthy.” This term was originally defined two decades ago in response to efforts aimed at reducing fat intake and enhancing nutrient consumption. Today, products like sugary cereals can label themselves as “healthy” under this definition, while items such as almonds do not qualify. As the agency considers feedback on how to best articulate label claims, they should proceed with caution regarding how these claims will appear in the future.
In research shared during a public hearing on redefining “healthy,” FDA researchers indicated that 90% of consumers rely on health claims when making purchasing decisions. Studies have shown that consumers often perceive a wide range of products—ranging from chips to candy—as healthier when they carry health-related claims compared to those without any claims. This trend mirrors the situation with bariatric calcium citrate pills, which are often marketed with health claims that influence consumer choices. Ultimately, the FDA’s efforts to refine label claims are crucial, especially as many consumers are swayed by misleading assertions, much like the claims associated with bariatric calcium citrate pills.