Children's Food Labeling : Part 2

by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

(Page 2 of 2)

Restrictions

For foods for children under 2, the amount of saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, cholesterol, calories from fat, and calories from saturated fat in the food cannot be listed on the label.

Labels of foods for children under 2 also cannot carry most of the claims about a food's nutritional content — such as "low- fat" and "low-cholesterol" — that labels of other foods can. (See "A Little 'Lite' Reading in the June 1993 FDA Consumer.) And, they cannot carry the eight FDA-approved health claims about the relationship between a nutrient or food and a health problem — for example, dietary fat and cancer — that other labels can.

Allowed Facts

What information is allowed? The following is a list of dietary components about which information is allowed on the Nutrition Facts panel on the labels of foods for children under 2. Information usually appears on the side or back of the package and is mandatory for underlined components. (Information about them is mandatory only when they are added to enrich or fortify a food, or when a claim is made about them on the label.)

Labels for foods for children 2 to 4 also must give the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat per serving. They can voluntarily provide the calories from fat and calories from saturated fat, and the amount of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat per serving.

The %Daily Values for protein and vitamins and minerals present in significant amounts must be listed. This helps parents see how a serving of food fits into their child's total daily diet. The amount of other nutrients is given in grams or milligrams.

Serving Size

The serving size, under "Nutrition Facts," is the basis on which manufacturers declare the nutrient amounts and %Daily Values on the label. It is the amount of food customarily eaten at one time — not necessarily the amount recommended by dietary guidelines.

The serving size is based on FDA- and USDA-established lists of "Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed Per Eating Occasion." FDA has established 11 groups of foods specially intended for children under 4. USDA has four such groups.

The serving size must be stated in both common household units and metric measures — for example, for dry instant cereal, "1/4 cup (15 g)."

These standardized serving sizes make it easier to compare the nutritional quality of similar foods.

Nutrient and Health Claims

FDA and USDA's regulations also extend to label claims.

Among the few allowed in children's nutrition labeling are claims that describe the percentage of vitamins or minerals in the food as they apply to the Daily Values for children under 2 — for example, "provides 50 percent of the Daily Value for vitamin C." This type of claim also is allowed in the labeling of dietary supplements for children under 2.

Also allowed for foods for children under 2 are the claims "unsweetened" and "unsalted." FDA believes that for foods for this age group, these claims refer to taste and not nutrition.

Two claims — "no sugar added" and "sugar free" — are approved only for use on dietary supplements for children under 2 because they often contain added sugar.

If presented with sound evidence, however, FDA will consider allowing other nutrient content claims, as well as health claims, in the labeling of foods for children under 2.

These and other rules are intended to help consumers select the best foods for children. The absence of some information allowed in labeling for other foods can help them do that.

About the Author

www.fda.gov
FDA is A United States government body that oversees medical devices, including contact lenses, intraocular lenses, excimer lasers and eyedrops. In the US, these products must be approved by the FDA before they can be marketed.