Foods, health claims, and the law: Comparisons of the United States and Europe

Government, academia, and the food industry can play a significant role in the identification of healthy foods and ingredients important for weight ma nagement and health. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration developed regula tions that define specific food categories for weight management and health . These categories include foods for special dietary uses and medical foods . Medical foods are classified for use in specific disease states and requi re a physician's recommendation and continuous monitoring. The European reg ulations specify energy-restricted foods as a subcategory of food for parti cular nutritional uses, which includes infant formula, medical foods, and f oods for sports. European standards for energy-restricted diets have been e stablished, leaving little flexibility for change. Three categories exist ( i.e., very-low-calorie diets [450 to 800 kcal], low-calorie diets [800 to 1 200 kcal], and meal replacements [200 to 400 kcal]). No claims on anticipat ed weight loss can be made even where significant clinical research has dem onstrated long-term efficacy, thereby preventing informed choice management , Dramatic changes in lifestyle (e.g., disruption of the family unit, alter ed eating occasions, fast foods, and food grazing) have resulted in an epid emic of obesity and chronic disease. Regulating food selection or dietary p atterns to limit the epidemic is not realistic. However, stimulating govern ment health agencies and the food industry to increase public awareness thr ough educational programs and regulating the definition of acceptable metho ds and products can provide an environment for change. A consensus is neede d among academia, government, and industry for appropriate food labeling an d claims. These actions are needed to help individuals make healthy food se lections and maintain a healthy weight. Public health initiatives should ch ange consumer attitudes with programs that are simple, affordable, effectiv e, and accessible.