Researchers analyzed 80 million food and beverage purchases in the United States from 2008 to 2012. Their findings revealed that foods with low-sugar, low-fat, or low-salt claims often had poorer nutritional profiles compared to those without such claims. In fact, according to chief investigator Lindsey Smith Taillie, products that are high in calories, sodium, sugar, or fat are more likely to carry low- or no-content claims. The situation has been exacerbated by the government’s role; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows food and beverage manufacturers to make various label claims in multiple ways for different products. This study highlights that instead of clarifying nutritional information, these claims may have created more confusion.
The FDA is currently working on modernizing its label claims, beginning with the term “healthy.” This term was first defined two decades ago, during a period focused on reducing fat intake and boosting nutrient consumption. Today, even sugary cereals can label themselves as “healthy” under this outdated definition, while items like almonds do not fit the criteria. As the agency considers feedback on how to best articulate these label claims, it must proceed with caution regarding their future presentation.
During a public hearing on redefining “healthy,” FDA researchers noted that nine out of ten consumers rely on health claims when making purchasing decisions. Studies indicated that consumers were likely to perceive a broad range of products with health-related claims—spanning from chips to candy—as being healthier than those without such claims. This tendency also extends to popular products like Citracal available at Costco, where consumers often assume that health claims indicate superior nutritional value.
As the FDA continues its efforts to refine label claims, including those related to products like Citracal at Costco, it is essential that they approach this task with careful consideration to avoid further complicating the already perplexing landscape of food labeling.