What are Food Claims?

Defined by the UN Food and Agriculture organization nutrition and health (N&H) claims can be any form of representation communicating that a food has:

nutritional properties, known as nutrition claims
a constituent associated with health, known as health claims

Clear nutrition information, usually in the form of nutrition declaration table on the back of the pack, should provide clear information and the amount of the nutrient that is being claimed. This definition and requirements are common to most regions, however, some differences exist and particularities arise.

In the European Region

Claims can be in the form of voluntary messages, pictures, graphics on pre- and non-packaged foodstuff can be used to highlight the positive nutritional or healthiness characteristics of a food product. Moreover, products commercialised un- or minimally packaged (fresh produce or those sell by the kilo), can also carry claims.

The European Commission has set the minimum levels foodstuff should contain to make use of nutrition claims. On the other hand, the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) is the responsible body for revising and approving the evidence behind health claims.

In USA-Canada

Similarly to the European regulation, nutrition claims can refer to content such as free, high, and low, or they comparative to another food like more, reduced, and lite.

In case of health claims, the Food and Drug Organization in USA and Food Directorate of Food in Canada are the bodies responsible for reviewing data and evidence backing up the association between the food substance and health. Under Canadian regulation, claims directed to specific diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer) cannot be approved for the general publication prior a pre-market approval.

Asia

For the most, N&H claims regulation in Asian countries follow the general rules described above, however, local applications exits. Japan, being one of the first countries to introduce a regulation on N&H claims, makes a more clear distinction between categories of health claims.

Latin America

Most countries have a legislation inspired on the UN guidelines. As new policies regulating the marketing of foods by the set of nutrient profiling systems (NPS), it is not the regulation of N&H claims that changed but the application of those. The countries where a mandatory NPS is in place, do not allow the use of cues (i.a., claims) to promote the consumption of unhealthier products. These imposition also reach online and media advertisements and marketing.

Australia-New Zealand

In Australia and New Zealand the type and application of claims are comparable to other regions, and similarly to Latin American countries, health claims can only be made on products that comply the Nutrient Profiling Scoring criterion.

In general, if the food manufacturer want to make a claim different from what is already accepted and legislated , they need to submit a dossier to the competing authority.

Other types of food claims

Apart from N&H claims, those for special populations are also included in the food claims classification. These claims usually include free from claims, such as gluten free, lactose free claims, and those for special diets: keto approved, vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, as well as natural, pure, fresh, organic when they comply to the legal framework.