Qualified Health Claims

To learn about nutrition and health claims generally, see Introduction to Food Product Claims

What You Need to Know:

A Qualified Health Claim is a statement approved by the FDA for use on food labels that has strict wording requirements.

When there is emerging evidence between a food and the reduced risk of a disease or health condition, but not enough for the FDA to issue an Authorized Health Claim, the FDA may approve a "Qualified Health Claim"

Example of a Qualified Health Claim:

"Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of antioxidant vitamins may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. However, FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive."

What Qualified Health Claims Can I Use?

Qualified Health Claims 2000-2013

The attached PDF contains a list of qualified health claims released by the FDA in their 2013 Food Labeling Guide. This represents Qualified Health Claims Through 2013.

Qualified Health Claims 2013-2018

A number of Qualified Health Claims have been released since the FDA Food Labeling Guidance Document. The links below are the FDA's response, known as a "Letter of Enforcement Discretion". This includes the qualified health claim that the FDA will allow (usually in the conclusion) and the specific requirements associated with using that qualified health claim.

Cardiovascular Disease

Diabetes

Peanut Allergy