Investigation on the Status of Nutrient Function Claims in Prepackaged Food Labelling in China

Objective:To understand the current status of nutrient function claims of prepackaged food labels in China,and to provide scientific data for revision of national food safety standard General rules for nutrition labeling of prepackaged foods. Methods:Sampling prepackaged food that have a large share in the market,collecting nutrition labeling information of prepackaged foods were recorded. Results:A total of 5348 samples in 18 categories were included in the study,there were 10 categories totaling 284 samples claimed the nutrient function,of which 5.31% using rate of nutrient function claims and the qualified rate was 100%. Milk and dairy products as well as cereals and cereal products had the higher nutrient function claims(15.12% and 15.69%respectively). Of all the labeled nutrients function claims,milk and dairy products claimed the functions of protein,calcium and vitamin D. Cereals and cereal products mainly claimed the function of dietary fiber. Beverages claimed water-soluble vitamins and minerals for most of the products. Conclusion:The using of nutrient function claimed on prepackaged foods were standardized and accurate,but in a low nutrient function claims rate. The rates of nutrients function claims and the kinds of function claims of nutrients were different in various kinds of food. The suggestion was that the nutrient function claims should be more practical in further standard revision.