An international regulatory review of food health-related claims in functional food products labeling

TLDR

Consumers increasingly value diet for health, favoring functional foods, and regulatory frameworks for health‑related claims differ across Europe, the US, and Japan, though such products are widely accepted. This review describes the current status of international regulatory frameworks for health‑related claims in functional food products and the market state of these products. The authors systematically examine regulatory frameworks and market data across Europe, the US, and Japan to assess health‑related claims in functional foods.

Abstract

Consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of diet in human health and they preferably choose functional food products. The present work is focused on describing the current status of the international regulatory framework for health-related claims in functional food products and the state of the art regarding these products market focusing on those with health-related claims. Specific regulation must control the use of these claims in the labeling of functional products. Although the European, American and Japanese claims are partly similar in nature, but the approval and use procedures and the regulatory framework are different. Consumers generally accept functional products with health-related claims, and most of them include more than one claim. This review could help consumers for making better-informed food decisions; food industry in marketing its products with a focus on international trade; and scientists in order to put in value their research work.