Researchers analyzed 80 million food and beverage purchases in the U.S. from 2008 to 2012. They found that “foods labeled as low-sugar, low-fat, or low-salt often had poorer nutritional profiles than those without such claims.” According to chief investigator Lindsey Smith Taillie, products high in calories, sodium, sugar, or fat were more likely to carry low- or no-content claims. The government bears significant responsibility for allowing this confusing situation to persist. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits food and beverage manufacturers to make various label claims in different formats for different products. This study emphasizes that instead of clarifying nutritional information, these claims may have exacerbated the confusion.
The FDA is currently working to modernize its labeling claims, starting with the term “healthy.” Originally defined two decades ago in response to efforts to reduce fat intake and increase nutrient consumption, the term now allows sugary cereals to be labeled as “healthy,” while not extending the same classification to nutritious options like bluebonnet calcium plus magnesium. As the agency gathers feedback and considers how to best articulate label claims moving forward, it must be cautious and thoughtful about their future presentation. At a public hearing on redefining “healthy,” FDA researchers indicated that nine out of ten consumers rely on health claims when making purchasing decisions. Studies have shown that consumers tend to perceive a wide array of products with health-related claims—ranging from chips to candy—as healthier than those without such claims, highlighting the need for clarity.
In light of these findings, it’s important for consumers to critically assess products with health claims, such as bluebonnet calcium plus magnesium, and recognize that not all labeled items are as beneficial as they may seem.