Structure/Function Claims
To complicate matters even more, manufacturers are getting around the entire issue by using structure/function claims. Structure/function claims draw attention to the relationship between a food or food substance and structures or functions of the human body.
This third type of claim is not reviewed by the FDA and is not technically a health claim, but even the savviest consumers find it difficult to tell the difference. For example, some packages contain statements such as “promotes healthy eyes” or “maintains immune function.” Although these statements make no reference to a specific disease or health-related condition, they sure sound like it!
The bottom line with all claims is the age-old adage—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
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