Researchers recently examined nearly 600 grocery items to see if flashy health claims on packaging, like “heart healthy” or “keto-friendly,” really reflect the nutritional quality of the food. They found that these labels often don’t match what’s inside, leading to a call for shoppers and healthcare providers to look closely at Nutrition Facts instead.
In the U.S., many people rely on these front-label claims to make quick decisions. Unfortunately, diet-related health issues are still a major concern. Regulatory bodies like the FDA allow certain claims, but these often don’t provide the full picture of a product’s nutrition.
The study aimed to help family doctors guide patients on healthier eating choices. Researchers selected commonly bought grocery items from stores like Walmart, drawing from USDA categories related to typical American dietary habits.
They reviewed two items from various food subcategories, like milk, snacks, and grains, and then assessed the health claims on the front of their packaging. The researchers classified these claims and calculated Nutri-Scores, which reflect healthiness based on a specific algorithm supported by the World Health Organization.
Across the 11 categories, 597 products were analyzed. The results showed that nutrient content claims were prevalent, with over 1,000 instances recorded. However, other types of claims, like those allowed by the FDA for specific health benefits, were rare. Most importantly, the study found that more claims on a package didn’t necessarily mean a healthier product. For instance, while claims could lead to better scores in some categories, like grains and snacks, they could also result in worse scores for fruits.
This inconsistency suggests that the number of claims isn’t a reliable indicator of a food’s healthiness. In fact, the category of the food—like fruits versus sugars—played a much bigger role in determining nutritional quality.
For shoppers and healthcare providers, the takeaway is clear: focus on food categories rather than the health claims on a package. Prioritizing fruits, vegetables, and other minimally processed options is a more effective strategy for choosing nutritious foods. Then, using the Nutrition Facts label to assess specific nutrients like sugars and fats can help narrow down healthier options.
As a reminder, the way food is marketed can be misleading, so being savvy while grocery shopping is essential for making truly healthy choices.
For more information, you can view the detailed study findings in the Peer-reviewed Reports in Medical Education Research.
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Nutrition, Diet, Education, Food, Food Packaging, Gluten, Heart, Research, Vegetables
