Special planning of the “Health from Food” series | Are health foods medicines?

When it comes to health foods, many people have this question: how should health foods be classified? Are they medicines or foods?

With the development of my country's economy and the increase in per capita income, people pay more attention to nutrition and health, and the market size of health food continues to grow. The consumers of health food have gradually expanded from the elderly to young and middle-aged people. The advertisements and product types of health food are also becoming more diversified. Some products will deceive consumers to buy them under the guise of health food, such as compressed candies with added vitamin C. In fact, this type of compressed candy is just an ordinary food, which is essentially different from health food and medicine.

Health food refers to food that claims to have health functions or is intended to supplement nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. It is suitable for consumption by specific groups of people, has the function of regulating body functions, is not intended to treat diseases, and does not cause any acute, subacute or chronic harm to the human body.

From the definition we can understand the following points:

First, health foods are neither medicines nor ordinary foods.

Second, health food has its own suitable groups of people. Healthy people do not need to supplement health food, while people with sub-health or those who need to adjust their body functions should choose health food with corresponding functions according to their own different situations.

Third, health food has the function of regulating body functions, but cannot cure diseases. Moreover, it cannot take effect immediately after consumption. It must be taken according to the instructions to take effect. So remember that health food is not medicine, and you should seek medical attention in time when you feel unwell.

What should you pay attention to when purchasing health foods?

Food and medicine are two substances with different functions. The state adopts different regulatory methods for food and medicine, the purpose of which is to ensure the safety of consumers' diet and medication. Consumers should look at it scientifically and rationally.

First, check the qualifications of the sales place. Buy products at a formal place with complete certificates and licenses, and pay special attention to whether the sales place has a business license and food business license.

Second, check the outer packaging and instructions. Carefully check the outer packaging label and product-related information, and do the "four no's": do not buy products without the factory name, address, production date and shelf life; do not buy pre-packaged food without a food production license number on the label; do not buy products that mention that they can prevent diseases or have therapeutic functions on the label or instructions; do not buy products that do not have a health food approval number on the label but claim to be health foods.

Third, distinguish between advertisements and promotional content. Look at advertisements and promotions of health foods scientifically and rationally. Do not buy any food that claims to have quick effects, prevent diseases, or have therapeutic functions. Do not blindly participate in any knowledge lectures, expert reports, etc. that are intended to sell products.

Fourth, when purchasing health foods, be sure to look for the "blue hat" logo.

Author: Li Sijia, Henan University of Science and Technology

Review expert: Wang Yao, associate professor of the School of Food and Bioengineering, Henan University of Science and Technology