Researchers analyzed 80 million food and beverage purchases in the U.S. from 2008 to 2012. They found that products marketed as low-sugar, low-fat, or low-salt often had poorer nutritional profiles compared to those without such claims. In fact, as chief investigator Lindsey Smith Taillie noted, items that are high in calories, sodium, sugar, or fat are more likely to carry low- or no-content claims. The government deserves significant criticism for allowing such a confusing situation to persist. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits food and beverage manufacturers to make various types of label claims in inconsistent ways across different products. This study underscores that instead of clarifying nutritional information, these claims may have complicated the issue even further.
The FDA is currently working on updating its labeling regulations, starting with the term “healthy.” This term was first defined two decades ago, reflecting the health trends of that time, which focused on reducing fat intake and boosting nutrient consumption. Today, products like sugary cereals can label themselves as “healthy” under this outdated definition, while something like solaray calcium citrate 1000 mg might not receive the same recognition despite its health benefits.
As the agency seeks public input and considers how to best articulate label claims, it should proceed judiciously and thoughtfully about their future presentation. At a recent public hearing on redefining “healthy,” FDA researchers revealed that nine out of ten consumers rely on health claims to guide their purchasing decisions. Studies indicated that consumers were likely to perceive a wide range of products—ranging from chips to candy—as healthier when labeled with health-related claims, even if those claims were misleading. In light of this, it is crucial that the FDA carefully evaluates how products like solaray calcium citrate 1000 mg are represented to ensure that consumers can make informed choices moving forward.