This document discusses definitions of functional foods and provides examples. It also summarizes regulations and reference intake values for nutrients in the EU, US, and Thailand. Functional foods are naturally high in a nutrient or have added nutrients, and may carry approved nutrition or health claims. Regulations specify claim types and require scientific evidence and understandability by consumers. Reference intake values differ between regions for nutrients like energy, total fat, sodium, and dietary fiber.
6. There is no singular, universal
definition for functional foods.
Functional foods can be naturally
high in a particular nutrient, giving it
an added health benefit.
Broccoli -
Sulphoraphane
has antioxidant Oats contain high fibre -
B-glucans have
cholesterol lowering
properties
Foods can be functional if the
manufacturer has added nutrients
that are not originally present in
that food.
7. Is it legal?
What’s composition?
Is it clean label?
IP/Valid IT certified?
Contain palm? RSPO certified?
Is it from traditional process?
Supplied from GFSI suppliers?
12. Energy or
Nutrient
EU – Reference Intake
(RI)
US - Daily Reference Value
(DRV or DV)
Thailand – Reference
Daily Intake (RDI)
Energy 2000 kcal 2000 kcal 2000 kcal
Total Fat 70 g 78 g 65 g
Saturates 20 g 20 g 20 g
Carbohydrate 260 g Total carbohydrate 275 g Total carbohydrate 275 g
Sugars 90 g Added sugar 50 g -
Protein 50 g 50 g -
Salt 6 g - -
Sodium - 2300 mg 2400 mg (may change to
2000 mg)
Dietary fiber - 28 g 25 g
Cholesterol - 300 g 300 g
1. EU Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers
2. Frequently Asked Questions for Industry on Nutrition Facts Labeling Requirements, ttps://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm513734.htm
3. Thailand : Notification of Ministry of Public Heath No.182 B.E.2541 (1998) – nutrition labeling
22. To be called the functional food, a food might be expected to have the right to
carry a nutrition or health claim on the approved list
Nutrition
Content Claim
✓Listed in the Annex
✓Conformity with the
conditions set out in the
Regulation (EC) No.
1924/2006
Health
Claim
✓Accepted scientific
evidence
✓Well understood by
average consumer
✓Have been authorized by
EFSA
Comparative
Claim
✓ Made between food of the
same category
✓ Difference in the quantity of
nutrient and/or energy
value shall be stated
✓ Comparison shall relate to
the same quantity of food
26. Title 21 Food and Drugs
Chapter I - Food and Drug Administration
Department of Health and Human Services
Subchapter B – Food for Human Consumption
Part 101 – Food Labeling
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
29. Reflects Updated Information
about Nutrition Science
✓ Added sugars included
✓ Vitamin D and potassium
included
✓ Calcium and iron will continue
to be included
✓ Vitamins A and C no longer
included
✓ Continue to require “Total Fat”
“Saturated Fat” and “Trans
Fat” on the label
✓ Calories from Fat removed
✓ Daily values for nutrients like
sodium, dietary fiber and
vitamin D are being updated
Features a Refreshed Design
Updates Serving Sizes and
Labeling Requirements for Certain
Package Sizes
✓ Based on amounts of foods &
beverages that people eating,
not should be eating
✓ Products that larger than a
single serving, manufacturers
provide “dual column” labels to
indicate the amount of calories
and nutrients on both a “per
serving” and “per package”/
“per unit” basis