Nutrition labeling on food products is intended to help consumers in making quick, informed food decisions that aid in maintaining a healthy diet, according to the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. FDA labeling contains specific information about a food product, such as the serving size, how many servings are contained within a package or container, and how many calories there are per serving. The FDA maintains extensive rules and requirements governing the use of labels and nutritional claims.
Nutrient Declarations
A nutrition facts label is required on most food items. Items excluded from labeling requirements include food served in restaurants, food delivered to homes for immediate consumption, medical foods, dietary supplements and foods manufactured by small businesses. The nutritional information, such as calories per serving, fat content and sodium content, must appear in legible type.
Placement
The nutritional facts label can be included with the ingredients list and the name and address of the manufacturer, though if there is not enough room on the item the list can appear adjacent to the ingredient and identification information. The information must be included in a box shape somewhere on the food item packaging and cannot appear with the name brand of the item on it.
Labeling
The FDA also governs what a producer or manufacturer can say regarding nutritional advertising or nutritional claims. For example, when a producer wants to claim that a food or dietary supplement aids your bodily functions, such as claiming it "boosts your immune system," the manufacturer must verify these claims, not the FDA. The claims are not approved by the FDA but must not contain false or misleading promises or assurances. Products that have structural or functional claims must have a disclaimer that states the FDA did not evaluate the claim, and that the item is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."
Dietary Supplements
The FDA categorizes dietary supplements as products taken orally that contain ingredients intended to supplement your diet. Though these supplements often come in the form of pills or tablets, they are categorized as foods, not drugs, and must be labeled as a dietary supplement, not a drug. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, it is up to the manufacturer of the supplement to determine that whatever representations or promises advertised on its labeling are substantiated. Firms do not have to show the FDA that their products have the evidentiary support to maintain any nutritional or dietary claims made, but the product must include a label that identifies each ingredient used in the product.
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