Superfoods Superfoods Marketing & Consumer Education 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FDA regulations, which type of claim is NOT permitted on a superfood supplement label without FDA pre-approval?
- Disease claims (e.g., 'cures diabetes') (Correct answer)
- Structure/function claims (e.g., 'supports immune health')
- Nutrient content claims (e.g., 'high in vitamin C')
- Serving size statements
Correct answer: Disease claims (e.g., 'cures diabetes')
Disease claims require FDA pre-approval via the drug approval process; supplements may only make structure/function claims.
Question 2: What does the term 'superfood' legally mean in the United States?
- It has no legal definition under US law (Correct answer)
- It means the food is FDA-certified as nutrient-dense
- It requires USDA verification of health benefits
- It is defined by minimum antioxidant ORAC scores
Correct answer: It has no legal definition under US law
The FDA has not defined 'superfood,' so the term is a marketing label with no regulatory standard in the US.
Question 3: Which FTC rule requires superfood marketers to have scientific evidence before making health benefit claims in advertising?
- Substantiation standard (Correct answer)
- GRAS rule
- DSHEA guideline
- NLEA provision
Correct answer: Substantiation standard
The FTC's substantiation standard requires that health and efficacy claims be backed by competent and reliable scientific evidence before publication.
Question 4: What consumer education strategy best helps shoppers distinguish between evidence-based superfood claims and marketing hype?
- Teaching consumers to look for peer-reviewed clinical studies supporting claims (Correct answer)
- Encouraging purchase of products with the most certifications
- Advising consumers to only buy domestic products
- Recommending the most expensive products as most effective
Correct answer: Teaching consumers to look for peer-reviewed clinical studies supporting claims
Peer-reviewed human clinical trials provide the strongest scientific evidence for health claims, unlike testimonials or animal studies.
Question 5: What is the primary role of DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act) regarding superfood supplements in the US?
- It places the burden on manufacturers to ensure safety before sale (Correct answer)
- It requires FDA approval before supplements reach market
- It mandates clinical trials for all health claims
- It bans the use of the word 'superfood' in marketing
Correct answer: It places the burden on manufacturers to ensure safety before sale
DSHEA allows supplements to reach market without FDA pre-approval, but manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe.
Question 6: Which marketing tactic involving superfoods has been most frequently targeted by the FTC for deceptive advertising?
- Exaggerated weight loss claims (Correct answer)
- Overstatement of antioxidant scores
- False country-of-origin claims
- Inflated suggested retail prices
Correct answer: Exaggerated weight loss claims
The FTC has repeatedly taken action against superfood marketers claiming dramatic weight loss results without scientific substantiation.
Superfoods Superfoods Marketing & Consumer Education 1
Under FDA regulations, which type of claim is NOT permitted on a superfood supplement label without FDA pre-approval?