A Food Labeling Guide: Chapter 6.1 - Claims | |||||||||||||||||||||||
6.1. What is a nutrient content claim?
It is a claim on a food product that directly or by implication characterizes the level of a nutrient in the food (e.g., "low fat" or
"high in oat bran"). Nutrient content claims are also known as "descriptors".
21 CFR 101.13(b)
6.2. What nutrient levels must be present in a food to use nutrient content "descriptors" on food labels?
The nutrient levels needed to use nutrient content claims are shown in Appendices A and B.
6.3. If a nutrient content claim is not included in FDA's regulations, may it be used on a label?
If a claim is provided for an FDA regulation, then it may be used in accordance with that regulation. A firm may also submit a notification for a
claim based on an authoritative statement by a U.S. government scientific body under Section 403(r)(2)(G) of the FD&C Act. All other claims are
prohibited.
21 CFR 101.13(b)
6.4. Where are nutrient content claims specifically defined by the agency?
In 21 CFR 101.13, Subpart D of part 101, and parts 105 and 107.
21 CFR 101.13(b)
6.5. Are there any requirements for nutrient content claims regarding the size or style of type?
Yes. A nutrient content claim may be no more than twice as prominent as the statement of identity (the name of the food). Specifically, the type
size of the claim may be no more than two times the type size of the statement of identity. If the style of the type makes the claim unduly prominent
compared to the statement of identity, it will be in violation of the regulations (even if the size of the type is appropriate).
21 CFR 101.13(f)
6.6. Is there any additional information that is required when a claim is made?
Yes. A variety of information is required depending on the claim and what information is needed to prevent the claim from being misleading.
Nutrition labeling is required for virtually all claims.
21 CFR 101.13(g) & 101.13(n)
6.7. What is a disclosure statement?
It is a statement that calls the consumer's attention to one or more nutrients in the food, that may increase the risk of a disease or health
related condition that is diet related. The disclosure statement is required when a nutrient in a food exceeds certain prescribed levels. The
disclosure statement identifies that nutrient (e.g. "See nutrition information for sodium content.")
21 CFR 101.13(h)(1)-(3)
6.8. When is a disclosure statement required?
It is a requirement when a nutrient content claim is made and the food contains one or more of the following nutrients in excess of the levels listed
below per reference amount customarily consumed, per labeled serving, or, for foods with small serving sizes, per 50 grams (different levels apply to
main dish meal-type products-see question 20):
CFR 101.13(h)(1)
6.9. How must the disclosure statement be presented on the label?
It must be in legible boldface type, in distinct contrast to other printed or graphic matter and generally in a type size at least as large as the net
quantity of contents declaration. It must also be placed immediately adjacent to the claim.
21 CFR 101.13(h)(4)(i)
6.10. What is meant by "immediately adjacent to"?
"Immediately adjacent to" means just that, right next to the claim. There may be no intervening material such as vignettes or other art work or
graphics. However, other required information such as the statement of identity (when the claim is part of the statement of identity such as
"low fat cheddar cheese"), and special disclosure statements (those required by section 403(r)(2)(A)(iii)-(v)), are permitted between the claim
and the disclosure statement.
21 CFR 101.13(h)(4)(ii)
6.11. Could a statement of identity ever be considered "intervening material"?
Yes, if the claim and the statement of identity were separate pieces of information on the label. If the statement of identity and the claim were
printed in noticeably different type styles, sizes, colors or locations, for example, if the phrase "low fat" were in a star-burst, the claim and
the statement of identity would be considered separate pieces of information. In such cases the referral statement would have to be adjacent to
the claim, not separated from it by the statement of identity.
6.12. How is the type size for the disclosure statement determined?
The type size for the disclosure statement is the same as that required for the net quantity of contents statement in 21 CFR 101.105(i); for example,
for packages with a principal display panel (PDP) of five square inches or less, the disclosure statement must be at least 1/16 inch in height;
for packages with a PDP of 5-25 square inches, not less than 1/8 inch; for PDP's 25-100 square inches, not less than 3/16 inch, and for packages
with a PDP greater than 100 square inches, not less than 1/4 inch.
21 CFR 101.13(h)(4)(i)
6.13. Are there any exceptions to the disclosure statement type size requirements?
Yes. If a claim is less than two times the required size of the net quantity of contents statement, the disclosure statement may be half the size of
the claim but not less than 1/16 inch.
21 CFR 101.13(h)(4)(i).
6.14. What are the disclosure statement type size requirements for extremely small packages?
If a package has less than three square inches of available label space and is an individual serving-size package served with meals in restaurants,
the disclosure statement may be 1/32 inch in height.
21 CFR 101.13(h)(4)(i)
6.15. Are there any situations when a referral statement is not required?
Yes. If a claim is made on the same panel as that bearing the nutrition information, no disclosure statement is required.
21 CFR 101.13(h)(4)(ii)
Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
A Food Labeling Guide, September 1994 (Editorial revisions June, 1999) |
Calorie Counter
Food Ratings for Popular Diets |
||||||||||||||||||||||