Researchers analyzed 80 million food and beverage purchases in the U.S. from 2008 to 2012. The findings revealed that foods labeled with low-sugar, low-fat, or low-salt claims often had poorer nutritional profiles compared to those without such claims. Chief investigator Lindsey Smith Taillie noted that in some instances, products high in calories, sodium, sugar, or fat are more likely to feature low- or no-content claims. The government bears significant responsibility for allowing such a confusing situation to persist. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits food and beverage manufacturers to make various label claims in different ways for different products. This study indicates that rather than clarifying nutrition information, these claims may exacerbate the confusion.
Currently, the FDA is working on modernizing its label claims, starting with the term “healthy.” This term was first defined two decades ago in response to efforts aimed at reducing fat intake and increasing nutrients. However, today, sugary cereals can use this definition to market themselves as “healthy,” while it does not apply to products like almonds.
As the FDA considers feedback and deliberates on how to best articulate label claims, it must be cautious and deliberate in how they present information moving forward. During a public hearing on redefining “healthy,” FDA researchers reported that nine out of ten consumers rely on health claims to influence their purchasing decisions. In various studies, consumers were inclined to believe that a wide range of products with health-related claims—spanning from chips to candy—were healthier than their counterparts without such claims.
Moreover, the importance of nutritional elements like calcium citrate cannot be overlooked. The study emphasizes that consumers often misinterpret health claims, which can include misleading information about beneficial ingredients such as calcium citrate. As the FDA navigates this complex landscape, it is essential to ensure that consumers are accurately informed about the nutritional value of the products they choose, particularly regarding claims related to calcium citrate. In this context, the role of calcium citrate becomes increasingly significant, as it is often associated with health benefits that consumers expect to see reflected in product labeling.