Banana Health Claims

The term "health claim" generally refers to a statement in the labeling of a food product that shows a relationship of any substance in the product to a disease or health-related condition. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for reviewing and accepting all health claims for food.

In 1993, FDA authorized seven health claims as part of the 1990 Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA). Since 1993, FDA has authorized four more. Out of the eleven health claims authorized by FDA, bananas qualify for eight of them.

The following FDA-approved health claims can be made when referring to the impact of diets that share characteristics of banana nutrition:

FDA Health Claim Banana Nutritional Properties
Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Bananas are good sources of potassium and low in sodium.
Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a disease associated with many factors. Bananas are low in sodium.
Low-fat diets rich in fiber-containing fruits, vegetables, and grain product may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease affected by many factors. Bananas are low in fat and a good source of fiber and vitamin C.
Development of cancer depends on many factors. Eating a diet low in fat and high in grain products, fruits, and vegetables that contain dietary fiber may reduce your risk of some cancers. Bananas are low in fat and a good source of fiber.
Development of cancer depends on many factors. Eating a diet low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin A, Vitamin C or fiber may reduce your risk of some cancers. Bananas are a good source of fiber and vitamin C.
Development of heart disease depends on many factors. Eating a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fruits, vegetables, and grain products that contain fiber may lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease. Bananas are low fat, contain negligible saturated fat, have no cholesterol, and are a good source of fiber.
Development of cancer depends on many factors. A diet low in total fat may reduce the risk of some cancers. Bananas are low in fat.
Although many factors affect heart disease, diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of this disease. Bananas contain no cholesterol, a negligible amount of saturated fat, and are a low-fat fruit.

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