Nutrition Science and Everyday Application - beta v 0.1

58 ALICE CALLAHAN, PHD, HEATHER LEONARD, MED, RDN, AND TAMBERLY POWELL, MS, RDN
Qualified health claims have some evidence to support them, but not as much, so there’s
less certainty that these claims are true. The FDA reviews the evidence for a qualified claim
and determines how it should be worded to convey the level of scientific certainty for it.
Here’s an example of a qualified health claim: “Scientific evidence suggests but does not
prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts [such as name of specific nut] as part of a
diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.”
Figure 1.16. Examples of food packaging with authorized health claims. Can you spot them?
Structure-Function Claims
Health claims are very specific and precise in their language, and they convey the level of
scientific certainty supporting them. In contrast, structure-function claims are intentionally
vague statements about nutrients playing some role in health processes. Examples of
structure-function claims are “calcium builds strong bones” and “fiber maintains bowel
regularity.” Note that these statements make no claims to prevent osteoporosis or treat
constipation, because structure-function claims are not allowed to say that a food or nutrient
will treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 6 They’re allowed by the FDA, but not specifically
approved or regulated, as long as their language stays within those rules.
Figure 1.17. Examples of food and supplement packaging with structure-function claims. Can
you spot them?
Structure-function claims were originally designed to be used on dietary supplements, but