1.
Which of the following is true with respect to nutrient content claims? (select the right options)
Correct Answer(s)
A. Must have an established Daily Value
C. If specified levels of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol or sodium are exceeded, may need disclosure statement
D. Must be authorized by regulation or notification to FDA based on a published authoritative statement (of a scientific body of the U.S. government or the National Academy of Sciences)
Explanation
Nutrient content claims must have an established Daily Value, meaning that the product must contain a significant amount of the nutrient in order to make a claim about its content. If specified levels of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, or sodium are exceeded in the product, a disclosure statement may be required to inform consumers about the potential health risks. Additionally, nutrient content claims must be authorized by regulation or notification to FDA based on a published authoritative statement from a scientific body of the U.S. government or the National Academy of Sciences.
2.
“High” or “good source” claims can be made for nutrients that do not have an established Daily Value.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
"High" or "good source" claims can only be made for nutrients that have an established Daily Value. Without an established Daily Value, it is not possible to determine if a nutrient is considered high or a good source. Therefore, the statement is false.
3.
A “Calcium builds healthy bones” statement on a dairy product is considered a:
Correct Answer
B. Structure/Function Claim
Explanation
The statement "Calcium builds healthy bones" on a dairy product is considered a Structure/Function Claim. This is because it describes the role of calcium in supporting bone health without making any specific claims about preventing or treating a disease. Structure/Function Claims are statements that describe the effect of a nutrient or dietary ingredient on the structure or function of the body, but they cannot make claims about diagnosing, treating, or preventing any specific disease.
4.
“Drinking green tea everyday helps reduce the risk of cancer” is a:
Correct Answer
A. Health Claim
Explanation
The statement "Drinking green tea everyday helps reduce the risk of cancer" is a health claim. Health claims are statements that link a food or ingredient to a specific health benefit. In this case, the claim suggests that consuming green tea can lower the risk of developing cancer. Health claims are regulated by food authorities to ensure they are supported by scientific evidence.
5.
Health claims require Significant Scientific Agreement (SSA) based on the totality of publicly available scientific evidence.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Health claims require Significant Scientific Agreement (SSA) based on the totality of publicly available scientific evidence. This means that for a health claim to be considered valid, there needs to be a consensus among the scientific community that the claim is supported by strong evidence. The evidence must be publicly available and not limited to a single study or a small set of studies. This ensures that health claims are based on reliable and robust scientific research, providing consumers with accurate and trustworthy information about the health benefits of certain products or ingredients. Therefore, the statement "True" is the correct answer.
6.
A claim on a fruit and yoghurt smoothie bottle states that drinking the smoothie daily will “strengthen bones and aid in weight loss”. The manufacturer says as calcium is proven to strengthen bones and eating more fruit can help in maintaining a healthy diet, his claim is not a violation of FDA regulations. Is he right?
Correct Answer
B. No, since he doesn’t provide any scientific data that drinking the smoothie will strengthen bones and aid weight loss
Explanation
The correct answer is No, since he doesn’t provide any scientific data that drinking the smoothie will strengthen bones and aid weight loss. The manufacturer's claim may be based on logical assumptions, such as the fact that calcium strengthens bones and fruit is part of a healthy diet. However, without scientific data or evidence to support the claim, it cannot be considered valid according to FDA regulations.
7.
If a strawberry ice cream is being marketed as “Light”, what is the reference food a manufacturer can use when making this claim?
Correct Answer
B. Other strawberry ice creams
Explanation
When a strawberry ice cream is marketed as "Light," the reference food that a manufacturer can use to make this claim is other strawberry ice creams. This means that the manufacturer is comparing the nutritional content and calorie count of their strawberry ice cream to other strawberry ice creams in the market, and asserting that their product is lighter or lower in calories compared to those.
8.
Which of the following claims is in compliance with current FDA regulations governing nutrients without Daily Values?
Correct Answer
A. Contains 1 gram of Omega-3 Fatty Acids per serving
Explanation
The claim "Contains 1 gram of Omega-3 Fatty Acids per serving" is in compliance with current FDA regulations governing nutrients without Daily Values. This is because the FDA allows claims about the amount of a nutrient in a product as long as it meets the specified criteria. In this case, the claim specifies the amount of Omega-3 Fatty Acids present, which is 1 gram per serving. On the other hand, the claim "Contains Omega-3 Fatty Acids" does not provide any specific information about the amount of the nutrient, and therefore may not comply with FDA regulations.
9.
A claim on a breakfast cereal package states that regularly eating the cereal for breakfast not only boosted the consumer’s immunity but helped reduce the risk of heart disease. Should the manufacturer get pre-approval from the FDA before making such claims?
Correct Answer
A. Yes, since it’s a disease claim
Explanation
The correct answer is Yes, since it's a disease claim. The claim on the breakfast cereal package states that regularly eating the cereal for breakfast helps reduce the risk of heart disease. Heart disease is a serious medical condition, and any claim related to a disease should be approved by the FDA to ensure that it is accurate and supported by scientific evidence. Pre-approval from the FDA is necessary to ensure that consumers are not misled or given false information regarding their health.
10.
The statement “Spinach is good for your health” on a food product containing spinach would be considered a:
Correct Answer
C. Dietary Guidance Statement
Explanation
A dietary guidance statement is a general recommendation or advice about a food or nutrient, without making specific claims about its health benefits. In this case, the statement "Spinach is good for your health" does not provide specific health claims or information about the nutrient content of spinach. Instead, it is a general guidance suggesting that spinach is beneficial for overall health.