Researchers analyzed 80 million food and beverage purchases in the U.S. from 2008 to 2012. According to chief investigator Lindsey Smith Taillie, “Foods that feature claims of being low in sugar, low in fat, or low in salt often have poorer nutritional profiles compared to those that do not make such claims. In fact, products that are typically 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 companies to make various types of label claims in different formats for different products. This study underscores that these claims may not clarify nutrition information; instead, they might exacerbate misunderstandings regarding health benefits, similar to how some consumers misinterpret the benefits of iron supplements like ferrous gluconate.
The FDA is currently working on updating its label claims, beginning with the term “healthy.” This term was originally defined two decades ago, in response to efforts aimed at reducing fat intake and increasing nutrient consumption. Today, sugary cereals can still claim to be “healthy” under this definition, despite the fact that this label is not applicable to products like bluebonnet liquid calcium magnesium. As the agency gathers feedback and considers how to best phrase label claims moving forward, it should proceed with caution. During a public hearing on redefining what constitutes “healthy,” FDA researchers noted that nine out of ten consumers utilize health claims when making purchasing decisions. Studies show that consumers are inclined to believe a wide array of products with health-related claims—ranging from chips to candy—are more beneficial than their counterparts lacking such claims. This misconception can also extend to nutritional products like bluebonnet liquid calcium magnesium, underscoring the need for clearer labeling practices.