What Is Nutrition Claims Law?
Nutrition Claims Law
The area of nutrition claims law deals with the regulations and violations related to listing the nutrient content of products, as well as making nutrient content claims. Food labeling guidelines are normally handled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FDA does provide rules for those who do the food labeling. A Nutrition Facts label is required on most food packages that have labels. In some cases, food and dietary supplement claims are regulated by law or through the FDA. One area of nutrition claims law involves the class action lawsuits filed by consumers to challenge a label claim.
What Is the Definition of a Nutrient Content Claim?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines a nutrient content claim, or NCC, as a claim on a food product that directly or by implication characterizes the level of a nutrient in the food. An example of an NCC is the phrase “low fat.” The FDA determines what nutrient levels must be in a food for an NCC to be used. There are also requirements for how the nutrient content claim is displayed on a product.