Published: June 2014

ID #: 70755

Publisher: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Authors: Rutkow L, Vernick JS, Edwards DM, Rodman SO, Barry CL

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The advertising of foods and beverages with low nutritional value has been identified as a contributor to rising obesity rates among children. Food and beverage manufacturers often use health claims to promote their products to consumers, including parents seeking nutritious options for their children. While health claims may take varied forms (e.g., “diets low in fat may reduce the risk of certain cancers”; “light in sodium”; “calcium builds strong bones”), the law prohibits the use of deceptive claims. This toolkit provides general information for stakeholders interested in learning more about legal approaches to address potentially deceptive claims on foods and beverages marketed to children. The toolkit provides an issue brief on potentially deceptive claims on foods and beverages marketed to children; answers to frequently asked questions about potentially deceptive claims; a description of legal authority to address potentially deceptive claims at the federal, state, and individual (i.e., litigation) levels; and a list of relevant recent cases that involved potentially deceptive claims.

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