Front-of-package labels are meant to catch your eye, and the health claims urge you to drop the box in your cart. Food companies know shoppers are busy, and that the overabundance of food options is overwhelming, especially when you’re in a hurry.
The problem is, not all health claims on food packages should be valued equally. In fact, many of these claims are poorly defined, unregulated, or simply misleading. While some terms are tightly enforced by the FDA, others are not.
References
Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Front-of-package labeling initiative.
Food and Drug Administration. (2010). Open letter to industry from Dr. Hamburg.
Ellis, E. (2023). What is a whole grain? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
General Mills. (n.d.). Original Lucky Charms.
Klemm, S. (2023). Understanding food marketing terms. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Larson, H. (2021). Easy ways to boost fiber in your daily diet. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Schuster, E. (2018). Misleading food package claims. Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2015). Questions and answers - USDA shell egg grading service.
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