Food Label Claims - Dietary Fiber

Food label claims are words or phrases on a food package that makes a comment about the nutritional value of the food.

A statement such as “made with oat bran” or “high in oat bran” implies that a product contains a considerable amount of the nutrient. Claims that imply a product contains a particular amount of fiber can be made only if the food actually meets the definition for “high fiber” or “good source of fiber,” whichever is appropriate.

Fiber terms

• High fiber - 5 g or more per serving
• Good source of fiber - 2.5 g to 4.9 g per serving
• More or added fiber - At least 2.5 g more per serving than the reference food

Calorie terms:

• Low-calorie - 40 calories or less per serving
• Reduced-calorie - At least 25% fewer calories per serving when compared with a similar food
• Light, Lite - One-third fewer calories or 50% less fat per serving; if more than half the calories are from fat, fat content must be reduced by 50% or more

Sugar terms:

• Sugar-free - Less than 1/2 gram sugar per serving
• Reduced sugar - At least 25% less sugar per serving when compared with a similar food.

Fat terms:

• Fat-free - Less than 1/2 gram fat per serving
• 100% fat free - Meets requirements for fat free
• Low-fat - 3 grams fat or less per serving
• Reduced-fat - At least 25% less fat when compared with a similar food

Cholesterol terms:

• Cholesterol-free - Less than 2 milligrams cholesterol per serving and 2 grams or less saturated fat per serving.
• Low-Cholesterol - 20 milligrams or less cholesterol per serving and 2 grams or less saturated fat per serving

Sodium terms:

• Sodium-free - Less than 5 milligrams sodium per serving
• Salt-free - Meets requirements for sodium-free

Tags: Dietary Fiber