First of all, ‘What is Food Claim?’. As stated by the European Commission, food claims or nutrition claims are any claims that suggest, implies or states that a food contains beneficial nutritional properties. Somehow, food claims are not meant to be misused. There are only several food claims that are allowed such as low energy, low fat, fat-free, sugar free, with no added sugar, high protein and the list goes on and on.
Low Energy
A claim that shows that food contain low energy or contain not more than 40 kcal per 100g for solid food and not more than 20 kcal per 100 ml for liquids.
Low fat
This claim shows that the food products contain no more than 3g of fat per 100g solid food and no more than 1.5g fat per 100ml liquids.
Fat-free
Fat free doesn’t mean that the food product is free from any fats. It means that the food products contain no more that 0.5g of fat per 100g or 100 ml. ( I always thought the food is free from fats but it’s actually not).
Sugar Free
The principle is same as the word ‘fat-free’. Sugar free products are products that contain no more that 0.5g sugars per 100g or 100 ml.
With No Added Sugar
This claim shows that the food products does not contain any added mono or disaccharides, or any food used for its sweetening properties. However, if the sugars are present naturally in the food, ‘CONTAINS NATURALLY OCCURING SUGAR’ should be added on the labelling.
High Protein
High protein food can be claimed when 20% energy of the food are contributed by protein.
Nutrition claims are important. It makes you understand about the labelling of the food, improve nutrition knowlegde and helps to make healthier option.
‘Be smart and Eat Smart’
