Many foods have labels claiming they provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Be sure to weigh the risks and benefits before consuming such foods. Many Americans would answer yes.
Consumers are confused.
They get so many health messages and claims about foods and their reported benefits. The International Food Informational Council defines functional foods as those that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. As Americans have taken more responsibility for their health, they've created a demand for these kinds of beneficial foods, and the marketplace has been eager to fill it. As a result, shelves in grocery and health-food stores bulge with hundreds of products that manufacturers claim to be beneficial. But consumer safeguards haven't kept up with the demand.