Research Shows Front of Pack Claims Not Reliable

It’s not news to the food industry, but university research is now showing that American grocery shoppers face an array of front of pack (FOP) nutrition and health claims when making food selections. But relying on FOP claims to determine the nutrition quality of the food may not be a consumer’s best option.

In the January issue of the Journal of Food Science study, published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), researchers from The Ohio State University and Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, examined and analyzed FOP nutrition claims on more than 2,200 breakfast cereal and prepared meals released for sale between 2006 and 2010. What they found was that no type or number of claims could distinguish “healthy” foods.

FDA has specifically defined four types of FOP nutrition marketing claims including: health claims, qualified health claims, structure/function claims and nutrient claims (FDA, 2009). Claims such as “may reduce the risk of heart disease,” “low-fat,” and “cholesterol-free” compete for attention among other front, side, or back of pack messages and symbols. In addition, claims like organic, natural, or local may be perceived as indicators of nutrient content.

But these claims don’t necessarily suggest higher nutritional quality meaning consumers should look at the Nutrition Facts panel to make more informed product choices.

Read the article in the Journal of Food Science here.

Source: Newswise.com