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July 19, 2018
Nutrient claims describe the content of a food, including the amount of nutrients, calories, cholesterol or fiber, but not in exact amounts. Usually on the front of the food label, the nutrient claim provides a quick comparison between similar products.
Ever wondered about the validity of nutrient claims? You can rest easy since those claims are part of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) in which the government set strict rules that a product must meet in order to make a nutrient or health claim. If these definitions are met, then manufacturers can display certain approved claims about the food.
Daily Values are the basis for nutrient claims. A food which provides 10% or more of the Daily Value for a nutrient per serving is a good source, while one providing 20% is considered “high” in the nutrient.
Nutrient Content Claim | What the Claim Means Per Serving |
High (rich in, excellent source) | 20% or more of the Daily Value |
Good | 10% to 19% of the Daily Value |
More | Contains at least 10% more of the Daily Value for vitamins, minerals, protein, dietary fiber, or potassium |
Light | Has at least ⅓ fewer calories or 50% less fat. If more than half the calories are from fat, fat content must be reduced by 50% or more |
Less or fewer | Has 25% less of a nutrient or of calories |
Calorie Claims |
|
Calorie free | Less than 5 calories |
Low calorie | 40 calories or less |
Reduced calories | At least 25% fewer calories |
Sugar Claims |
|
Sugar free | Less than 0.5 gram sugars |
Reduced sugar | At least 25% less sugar |
Fiber Claims |
|
High fiber | 5 grams or more |
Good source of fiber | 2.5 grams to 4.9 grams |
More or added fiber | At least 2.5 grams more |
Sodium Claims |
|
Sodium free or salt free | Less than 5 milligrams sodium |
Very low sodium | 35 milligrams of sodium or less |
Low sodium | 140 milligrams of sodium or less |
Reduced sodium | At least 25% less sodium |
Light in sodium | At least 50% less sodium |
Salt free | Less than 5 milligrams sodium |
Fat Claims |
|
Fat free | Less than 0.5 gram fat |
Low fat | 3 grams or less total fat |
Reduced fat | At least 25% less fat than the regular version |
Cholesterol Claims |
|
Cholesterol free | Less than 2 milligrams cholesterol and 2 grams or less saturated fat |
Low cholesterol | 20 milligrams or less cholesterol and 2 grams or less saturated fat |
Reduced cholesterol | At least 25% less cholesterol and 2 grams or less saturated fat |
Tags: food labels, healthy snacking, nutrient claims
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