Food Labels

Claims made for foods can be classified as follows:

• Nutrition claims: These, in general, relate to the nutrient content of the food and include statements for high or low contents such as `rich in protein’ or `low fat’. Such claims relate to the presence or absence of a nutrient, normally with quantification.
• Nutrient function claims: Claims in this category relate to the function of a nutrient, or group of nutrients, in a normal, healthy human. These can be as diverse as `glucose for extra energy’ and `iron to help maintain healthy blood’.
• Health claims: These are claims that state or imply that there is a relationship between the consumption of a food, or a component of a food, and health. Health claims make a reference to the health of the individual, who may benefit from the consumption of appropriate amounts of the food and can include claims for the reduction of disease risk.

Health claims have to be carefully worded to ensure that the distinction is made between the `prevention’ of a disease and the `significant reduction of a disease risk factor’. The former implies that the food may play a part in the prevention of a disease or condition, whilst the latter relates to the effect of the food on the management of aspects or factors known to play a part in the development of a disease.

SOURCE: FUNCTIONAL FOODS, Ageing and Degenerative Diseases

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