Dietary Guidance Message About Fruits and Vegetables

As part of the Consumer Health Information for Better Nutrition Initiative, FDA is seeking to encourage good nutrition among consumers in a variety of ways, including promoting and enhancing dietary guidance statements on food labels.

Recently, the FDA, as part of a cooperative effort with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), offered an important dietary guidance message for consumers: "Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases."

FDA wishes to point out that this is a "dietary guidance statement" and not a "health claim." Dietary guidance statements must be truthful, and not misleading.

FDA encourages the produce industry to use this dietary guidance message with all varieties of fruits and vegetables. FDA also encourages food manufacturers to use this statement in association with those fruits, vegetables and foods that meet the criteria established by the National Cancer Institute's 5 A Day for Better Health Program.

FDA will continue to work with federal agencies to encourage the development and use of dietary guidance messages.