Health claims
Health claims and nutrition claims – can I trust what’s said about the beneficial effects of foods?
When you see a health claim like “can reduce cholesterol” on food packaging, can you trust it? In the EU, regulations ensure that all health claims made on labels, advertisements, or other marketing materials are backed by solid scientific evidence and are clear for consumers to understand.
What are health claims?
A health claim is any statement linking a food or ingredient to a specific health benefit. Examples include:
- “Reduces body weight”
- “Supports immune function”
- “Maintains normal muscle function”
Health claims are only approved after a rigorous scientific assessment by EFSA. To date, EFSA has evaluated over 2,300 health claim applications.
Nutrition claims vs. health claims
While health claims focus on the relationship between food and health, nutrition claims highlight the composition of the food itself. Examples of nutrition claims include:
- “Low fat”
- “No added sugar”
- “High in fibre”
Both types of claims are regulated to ensure they are backed by science and not misleading.
As scientists at EFSA, we rigorously evaluate the scientific evidence behind health claims on food packaging, ensuring consumers can trust the information they rely for making informed choices.
Leng Heng, a nutrition expert at EFSA.
Consumer protection
European and national authorities work together to safeguard consumers from false or exaggerated claims about food products. This system ensures that:
- Consumers can make informed choices.
- Claims are understandable and evidence-based.
- Misleading or unsubstantiated claims are kept off the market.
What do the numbers say?
As of 2023:
- Over 260 health claims have been approved for use in the EU by the European Commission
- More than 70% of evaluated claims have been rejected due to a lack of scientific evidence.
- Some examples of approved claims relate to nutrients like vitamin D (bone health), omega-3 fatty acids (heart health), and fibre (digestive health).
What this means for you
When you see a health or nutrition claim on a product in the EU, you can trust that it has undergone rigorous scrutiny. However, always remember that no single food or supplement can replace a balanced, varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.
