(34) Food Labeling

Overview of Food Labeling

• Food labeling in the U.S. is regulated primarily by the FDA and applies to almost all food items, with the exception of meat, poultry, and eggs which fall under the USDA.

• Regulations are outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically Title 21, which is extensive and detailed for manufacturers to comply with.

Key Components of Food Labels

Ingredient Statement

• Importance: The ingredient statement shows precisely what is in a packaged food and is highly regulated.

• Listing Order: Ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance by weight.

• Plain Language Requirement: Ingredients must be written clearly to be understood by consumers.

Nutrition Facts Box

• Function: Provides detailed nutritional information about the food product.

• Serving Size: Crucial to identify as it dictates the amount of nutrition presented; serving sizes are regulated by the FDA.

• Updates (2020): Recent changes included larger font for calorie counts and separate listings for added sugars.

  • Example: If total sugars are 18 grams, and added sugars are listed as 10 grams, consumers can understand the natural versus added sugar content better.

Types of Claims on Food Labels

Nutrient Claims

• Definition: Claims regarding the nutrient value or characteristics of food (e.g., "low in fat", "high in fiber").

• Regulation: Must meet specific criteria set by the FDA for comparisons (e.g., "40% less fat than regular chips").

Health Claims

• Definition: Claims about the relationship between a nutrient and a health condition; heavily regulated and supported by scientific evidence.

• Examples: Claims that oat fiber helps lower cholesterol or calcium helps prevent osteoporosis.

Structure/Function Claims

• Definition: Indicate the role of a nutrient in supporting the body’s normal function (e.g., "calcium builds strong bones").

• Difference from Health Claims: Structure/function claims do not imply a direct effect on disease risk.

Comparing Food Products

Salad Dressing Example

• Walden Farms ranch dressing: Labeled "calorie-free" but contains artificial sweeteners and preservatives which detract from healthfulness.

• Organic balsamic vinaigrette: Contains simple, natural ingredients and offers healthy fats despite being higher in calories.

Crackers Example

• Ritz Crackers: Made with enriched white flour, offering less nutritional value.

• Mary's Gone Crackers: Features whole grain ingredients; more nutrient-dense without unnecessary additives.

Beverage Comparison

• Sanav Coconut Sparkling Water: Simple ingredients, truly sparkling water.

• Sparkling Ice: Contains artificial ingredients and flavors, misleading as a sparkling water.

Redefining the Term "Healthy"

• FDA's Previous Definition: Restrictive and outdated, defining "healthy" based on fat content without addressing nutrient quality from whole foods.

• 2015 Case: Kind Bars challenged the FDA to reconsider the health claim based on unsaturated fats from nuts.

• Proposed Changes: New definitions aim to include foods with healthy fats, like nuts, and emphasize nutrient-dense ingredients.

• Examples: Foods must include minimum amounts of fruits, vegetables, and engage in fortification of nutrients like vitamin D and potassium.

Current Regulations and Compliance

• Final Rule (Dec 2024): FDA issued a final rule for food labeling concerning the term "healthy", with compliance needed by 2028.

• Fortification Requirements: If fortifying food and making health claims, nutrients must represent at least 10% of the RDI to qualify.

Differences in International Food Labeling

• Ingredients in the U.S. often differ from those in Europe or Canada, mainly due to stricter regulations.

• Example: Certain additives and artificial colors that are banned or regulated in other countries, which might be prevalent in U.S. food products.

• Health Implications: Artistic colorings and artificial preservatives pose health risks, particularly to children, with increasing scrutiny surrounding these ingredients.

Conclusion

• The landscape of food labeling is evolving towards healthier standards, focusing on transparency, actual nutrition content, and clearer definitions of what constitutes healthy foods.