FTC Supports FDA Expansion of Health Claims for Foods

In addition to the minimum nutrient contributionrequirement for health claims, FDA should consider allowing health claims forfoods that satisfy a nutrient density standard. This would allow health claimsfor some foods that are currently precluded but contribute significantly to ahealthy diet. FDA should also consider health claims on a case-by-case basis forfoods that do not meet either the minimum nutrient contribution requirement or anutrient density standard, if such claims could help consumers make decisionsabout healthier substitutes for foods in their diet.

FDA should conduct consumer research to determine ifconsumers believe a food is healthful in all respects when they are exposed to ahealth claim for a food with a problematic nutrient. If consumers do have thisresponse, then FDA should consider mandating the use of disclosures to preventconsumers from being misled.

FDA should allow the use of truthful and non-misleadingsynonyms for words that the agency has previously defined for use in nutrientcontent claims.