Lights and shadows about health claims: analysis of food labels in a field survey in Florence.

Abstract

Health claims (HC) are those statements on food labels that state, suggest, or imply that a relationship exists between a food category, a food product, or one of its constituents, and health of consumer. The European legislation on the use of HC aims to encourage responsible consumption by people. The aim of this study is to assess the adherence of HC to EU norms in foodstuffs sold in the large-scale retail distribution in Florence. Two independent researchers have separately selected and assessed the foodstuffs with HC sold in at least two of four supermarkets identified randomly in Florence. Each selected product was assessed by a checklist with seven macro-criteria, extrapolated from the 'Specific Conditions' and 'Restrictions of Use' provided by EU regulations, rating the adherence of the chosen foods to the legislation. Seventy-seven products were assessed. Only a limited number of products show full compliance to all the criteria. Specifically, noncompliance related to Criterion 3 ("the amount of the food and pattern of consumption required to obtain the claimed beneficial effect are reported") is the most significant: the absence of indications about the maximum amount to be consumed or the modality of consumption could represent a risk of overconsumption and, consequently, a risk for health. According to the results, we hypothesize a lack of knowledge of the EU norms on the part of the manufacturer. A great deal of work is still to be done to assess and manage these products in the right way, as well as to communicate the right messages to the consumers.