[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 21, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 21CFR101.62]

[Page 104-113]
 
                        TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
 
CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
                          SERVICES (CONTINUED)
 
PART 101--FOOD LABELING--Table of Contents
 
      Subpart D--Specific Requirements for Nutrient Content Claims
 
Sec. 101.62  Nutrient content claims for fat, fatty acid, and cholesterol content of foods.

    (a) General requirements. A claim about the level of fat, fatty 
acid, and cholesterol in a food may only be made on the label or in the 
labeling of foods if:
    (1) The claim uses one of the terms defined in this section in 
accordance with the definition for that term;
    (2) The claim is made in accordance with the general requirements 
for nutrient content claims in Sec. 101.13;
    (3) The food for which the claim is made is labeled in accordance 
with Sec. 101.9, Sec. 101.10, or Sec. 101.36, as applicable; and
    (4) For dietary supplements, claims for fat, saturated fat, and 
cholesterol may not be made on products that meet the criteria in 
Sec. 101.60(b)(1) or (b)(2) for ``calorie free'' or ``low calorie'' 
claims.
    (b) Fat content claims. (1) The terms ``fat free,'' ``free of fat,'' 
``no fat,'' ``zero fat,'' ``without fat,'' ``negligible source of fat,'' 
or ``dietarily insignificant source of fat'' or, in the case of milk 
products, ``skim'' may be used on the label or in labeling of foods, 
provided that:
    (i) The food contains less than 0.5 gram (g) of fat per reference 
amount customarily consumed and per labeled serving or, in the case of a 
meal product or main dish product, less than 0.5 g of fat per labeled 
serving; and
    (ii) The food contains no added ingredient that is a fat or is 
generally understood by consumers to contain fat unless the listing of 
the ingredient in the ingredient statement is followed by an asterisk 
that refers to the statement below the list of ingredients, which states 
``adds a trivial amount of fat,'' ``adds a negligible amount of fat,'' 
or ``adds a dietarily insignificant amount of fat;'' and
    (iii) As required in Sec. 101.13(e)(2), if the food meets these 
conditions without the benefit of special processing, alteration, 
formulation, or reformulation to lower fat content, it is labeled to 
disclose that fat is not usually present in the food (e.g., ``broccoli, 
a fat free food'').
    (2) The terms ``low fat,'' ``low in fat,'' ``contains a small amount 
of fat,'' ``low source of fat,'' or ``little fat'' may be used on the 
label or in labeling of foods, except meal products as defined in 
Sec. 101.13(l) and main dish products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m), 
provided that:
    (i)(A) The food has a reference amount customarily consumed greater 
than 30 g or greater than 2 tablespoons and contains 3 g or less of fat 
per reference amount customarily consumed; or
    (B) The food has a reference amount customarily consumed of 30 g or 
less or 2 tablespoons or less and contains 3 g or less of fat per 
reference amount customarily consumed and per 50 g of food (for 
dehydrated foods that must be reconstituted before typical consumption 
with water or a diluent containing an insignificant amount, as defined 
in Sec. 101.9(f)(1), of all nutrients per reference amount customarily 
consumed, the per 50-g criterion refers to the ``as prepared'' form); 
and
    (ii) If the food meets these conditions without the benefit of 
special processing, alteration, formulation, or reformulation to lower 
fat content, it is labeled to clearly refer to all foods of

[[Page 105]]

its type and not merely to the particular brand to which the label 
attaches (e.g., ``frozen perch, a low fat food'').
    (3) The terms defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section may be 
used on the label or in labeling of meal products as defined in 
Sec. 101.13(l) or main dish products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m), 
provided that:
    (i) The product contains 3 g or less of total fat per 100 g and not 
more than 30 percent of calories from fat; and
    (ii) If the product meets these conditions without the benefit of 
special processing, alteration, formulation, or reformulation to lower 
fat content, it is labeled to clearly refer to all foods of its type and 
not merely to the particular brand to which the label attaches.
    (4) The terms ``reduced fat,'' ``reduced in fat,'' ``fat reduced,'' 
``less fat,'' ``lower fat,'' or ``lower in fat'' may be used on the 
label or in the labeling of foods, except meal products as defined in 
Sec. 101.13(l) and main dish products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m), 
provided that:
    (i) The food contains at least 25 percent less fat per reference 
amount customarily consumed than an appropriate reference food as 
described in Sec. 101.13(j)(1); and
    (ii) As required in Sec. 101.13(j)(2) for relative claims:
    (A) The identity of the reference food and the percent (or fraction) 
that the fat differs between the two foods and are declared in immediate 
proximity to the most prominent such claim (e.g., ``reduced fat--50 
percent less fat than our regular brownies''); and
    (B) Quantitative information comparing the level of fat in the 
product per labeled serving with that of the reference food that it 
replaces (e.g., ``Fat content has been reduced from 8 g to 4 g per 
serving.'') is declared adjacent to the most prominent claim or to the 
nutrition label, except that if the nutrition label is on the 
information panel, the quantitative information may be located elsewhere 
on the information panel in accordance with Sec. 101.2.
    (iii) Claims described in paragraph (b)(4) of this section may not 
be made on the label or in the labeling of a food if the nutrient 
content of the reference food meets the definition for ``low fat.''
    (5) The terms defined in paragraph (b)(4) of this section may be 
used on the label or in the labeling of meal products as defined in 
Sec. 101.13(l) and main dish products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m), 
provided that:
    (i) The food contains at least 25 percent less fat per 100 g of food 
than an appropriate reference food as described in Sec. 101.13(j)(1); 
and
    (ii) As required in Sec. 101.13(j)(2) for relative claims:
    (A) The identity of the reference food and the percent (or fraction) 
that the fat differs between the two foods are declared in immediate 
proximity to the most prominent such claim (e.g., reduced fat spinach 
souffle, ``33 percent less fat per 3 oz than our regular spinach 
souffle''); and
    (B) Quantitative information comparing the level of fat in the 
product per specified weight with that of the reference food that it 
replaces (e.g., ``Fat content has been reduced from 7.5 g per 3 oz to 5 
g per 3 oz.'') is declared adjacent to the most prominent claim, to the 
nutrition label, or, if the nutrition label is located on the 
information panel, it may appear elsewhere on the information panel in 
accordance with Sec. 101.2.
    (iii) Claims described in paragraph (b)(5) of this section may not 
be made on the label or in the labeling of a food if the nutrient 
content of the reference food meets the definition for ``low fat.''
    (6) The term ``-- percent fat free'' may be used on the label or in 
the labeling of foods, provided that:
    (i) The food meets the criteria for ``low fat'' in paragraph (b)(2) 
or (b)(3) of this section;
    (ii) The percent declared and the words ``fat free'' are in uniform 
type size; and
    (iii) A ``100 percent fat free'' claim may be made only on foods 
that meet the criteria for ``fat free'' in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section, that contain less than 0.5 g of fat per 100 g, and that contain 
no added fat.
    (c) Fatty acid content claims. The label or labeling of foods that 
bear claims with respect to the level of saturated fat shall disclose 
the level of total fat and cholesterol in the food in immediate 
proximity to such claim each time the claim is made and in type

[[Page 106]]

that shall be no less than one-half the size of the type used for the 
claim with respect to the level of saturated fat. Declaration of 
cholesterol content may be omitted when the food contains less than 2 
milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per reference amount customarily consumed 
or in the case of a meal or main dish product less than 2 mg of 
cholesterol per labeled serving. Declaration of total fat may be omitted 
with the term defined in paragraph (c)(1) of this section when the food 
contains less than 0.5 g of total fat per reference amount customarily 
consumed or, in the case of a meal product or a main dish product, when 
the product contains less than 0.5 g of total fat per labeled serving. 
The declaration of total fat may be omitted with the terms defined in 
paragraphs (c)(2) through (c)(5) of this section when the food contains 
3 g or less of total fat per reference amount customarily consumed or in 
the case of a meal product or a main dish product, when the product 
contains 3 g or less of total fat per 100 g and not more than 30 percent 
calories from fat.
    (1) The terms ``saturated fat free,'' ``free of saturated fat,'' 
``no saturated fat,'' ``zero saturated fat,'' ``without saturated fat,'' 
``trivial source of saturated fat,'' ``negligible source of saturated 
fat,'' or ``dietarily insignificant source of saturated fat'' may be 
used on the label or in the labeling of foods, provided that:
    (i) The food contains less than 0.5 g of saturated fat and less than 
0.5 g trans fatty acid per reference amount customarily consumed and per 
labeled serving, or in the case of a meal product or main dish product, 
less than 0.5 g of saturated fat and less than 0.5 g trans fatty acid 
per labeled serving; and
    (ii) The food contains no ingredient that is generally understood by 
consumers to contain saturated fat unless the listing of the ingredient 
in the ingredient statement is followed by an asterisk that refers to 
the statement below the list of ingredients which states, ``adds a 
trivial amount of saturated fat,'' ``adds a negligible amount of 
saturated fat,'' or ``adds a dietarily insignificant amount of saturated 
fat;'' and
    (iii) As required in Sec. 101.13(e)(2), if the food meets these 
conditions without the benefit of special processing, alteration, 
formulation, or reformulation to lower saturated fat content, it is 
labeled to disclose that saturated fat is not usually present in the 
food.
    (2) The terms ``low in saturated fat,'' ``low saturated fat,'' 
``contains a small amount of saturated fat,'' ``low source of saturated 
fat,'' or ``a little saturated fat'' may be used on the label or in the 
labeling of foods, except meal products as defined in Sec. 101.13(l) and 
main dish products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m), provided that:
    (i) The food contains 1 g or less of saturated fatty acids per 
reference amount customarily consumed and not more than 15 percent of 
calories from saturated fatty acids; and
    (ii) If a food meets these conditions without benefit of special 
processing, alteration, formulation, or reformulation to lower saturated 
fat content, it is labeled to clearly refer to all foods of its type and 
not merely to the particular brand to which the label attaches (e.g., 
``raspberries, a low saturated fat food'').
    (3) The terms defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section may be 
used on the label or in the labeling of meal products as defined in 
Sec. 101.13(l) and main dish products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m), 
provided that:
    (i) The product contains 1 g or less of saturated fatty acids per 
100 g and less than 10 percent calories from saturated fat; and
    (ii) If the product meets these conditions without the benefit of 
special processing, alteration, formulation, or reformulation to lower 
saturated fat content, it is labeled to clearly refer to all foods of 
its type and not merely to the particular brand to which the label 
attaches.
    (4) The terms ``reduced saturated fat,'' ``reduced in saturated 
fat,'' ``saturated fat reduced,'' ``less saturated fat,'' ``lower 
saturated fat,'' or ``lower in saturated fat'' may be used on the label 
or in the labeling of foods, except as limited by Sec. 101.13(j)(1)(i) 
and except meal products as defined in Sec. 101.13(l) and main dish 
products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m), provided that:

[[Page 107]]

    (i) The food contains at least 25 percent less saturated fat per 
reference amount customarily consumed than an appropriate reference food 
as described in Sec. 101.13(j)(1); and
    (ii) As required in Sec. 101.13(j)(2) for relative claims:
    (A) The identity of the reference food and the percent (or fraction) 
that the saturated fat differs between the two foods are declared in 
immediate proximity to the most prominent such claim (e.g., ``reduced 
saturated fat. Contains 50 percent less saturated fat than the national 
average for nondairy creamers''); and
    (B) Quantitative information comparing the level of saturated fat in 
the product per labeled serving with that of the reference food that it 
replaces (e.g., ``Saturated fat reduced from 3 g to 1.5 g per serving'') 
is declared adjacent to the most prominent claim or to the nutrition 
label, except that if the nutrition label is on the information panel, 
the quantitative information may be located elsewhere on the information 
panel in accordance with Sec. 101.2.
    (iii) Claims described in paragraph (c)(4) of this section may not 
be made on the label or in the labeling of a food if the nutrient 
content of the reference food meets the definition for ``low saturated 
fat.''
    (5) The terms defined in paragraph (c)(4) of this section may be 
used on the label or in the labeling of meal products as defined in 
Sec. 101.13(l) and main dish products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m), 
provided that:
    (i) The food contains at least 25 percent less saturated fat per 100 
g of food than an appropriate reference food as described in 
Sec. 101.13(j)(1), and
    (ii) As required in Sec. 101.13(j)(2) for relative claims:
    (A) The identity of the reference food, and the percent (or 
fraction) that the fat differs between the two foods are declared in 
immediate proximity to the most prominent such claim (e.g., reduced 
saturated fat Macaroni and Cheese, ``33 percent less saturated fat per 3 
oz than our regular Macaroni and Cheese'').
    (B) Quantitative information comparing the level of saturated fat in 
the product per specified weight with that of the reference food that it 
replaces (e.g., ``Saturated fat content has been reduced from 2.5 g per 
3 oz to 1.7 g per 3 oz.'') is declared adjacent to the most prominent 
claim or to the nutrition label, except that if the nutrition label in 
on the information panel, the quantitative information may be located 
elsewhere on the information panel in accordance with Sec. 101.2.
    (iii) Claims described in paragraph (c)(5) of this section may not 
be made on the label or in the labeling of a food if the nutrient 
content of the reference food meets the definition for ``low saturated 
fat.''
    (d) Cholesterol content claims. (1) The terms ``cholesterol free,'' 
``free of cholesterol,'' ``zero cholesterol,'' ``without cholesterol,'' 
``no cholesterol,'' ``trivial source of cholesterol,'' ``negligible 
source of cholesterol,'' or ``dietarily insignificant source of 
cholesterol'' may be used on the label or in the labeling of foods, 
provided that:
    (i) For foods that contain 13 g or less of total fat per reference 
amount customarily consumed, per labeled serving, and per 50 g if the 
reference amount customarily consumed is 30 g or less or 2 tablespoons 
or less (for dehydrated foods that must be reconstituted before typical 
consumption with water or a diluent containing an insignificant amount, 
as defined in Sec. 101.9(f)(1), of all nutrients per reference amount 
customarily consumed, the per 50-g criterion refers to the ``as 
prepared'' form), or, in the case of meal products, 26.0 g or less total 
fat per labeled serving, or, in the case of main dish products, 19.5 g 
or less total fat per labeled serving:
    (A) The food contains less than 2 mg of cholesterol per reference 
amount customarily consumed and per labeling serving or, in the case of 
a meal product or main dish product, less than 2 mg of cholesterol per 
labeled serving; and
    (B) The food contains no ingredient that is generally understood by 
consumers to contain cholesterol, unless the listing of the ingredient 
in the ingredient statement is followed by an asterisk that refers to 
the statement below the list of ingredients, which states ``adds a 
trivial amount of cholesterol,'' ``adds a negligible amount of

[[Page 108]]

cholesterol,'' or ``adds a dietarily insignificant amount of 
cholesterol;'' and
    (C) The food contains 2 g or less of saturated fatty acids per 
reference amount customarily consumed or, in the case of a meal product 
or main dish product, 2 g or less of saturated fatty acids per labeled 
serving; and
    (D) As required in Sec. 101.13(e)(2), if the food contains less than 
2 mg of cholesterol per reference amount customarily consumed or in the 
case of a meal product or main dish product, less than 2 mg of 
cholesterol per labeled serving without the benefit of special 
processing, alteration, formulation, or reformulation to lower 
cholesterol content, it is labeled to disclose that cholesterol is not 
usually present in the food (e.g., ``applesauce, a cholesterol-free 
food'').
    (ii) For food that contain more than 13 g of total fat per reference 
amount customarily consumed, per labeling serving, or per 50 g if the 
reference amount customarily consumed is 30 g or less or 2 tablespoons 
or less (for dehydrated foods that must be reconstituted before typical 
consumption with water or a diluent containing an insignificant amount, 
as defined in Sec. 101.9(f)(1), of all nutrients per reference amount 
customarily consumed, the per 50-g criterion refers to the ``as 
prepared'' form), or in the case of a meal product, more than 26 g of 
total fat per labeled serving, or, in the case of a main dish product 
more than 19.5 g of total fat per labeled serving:
    (A) The food contains less than 2 mg of cholesterol per reference 
amount customarily consumed and per labeling serving or, in the case of 
a meal product or main dish product, less than 2 mg of cholesterol per 
labeled serving; and
    (B) The food contains no ingredient that is generally understood by 
consumers to contain cholesterol, unless the listing of the ingredient 
in the ingredient statement is followed by an asterisk that refers to 
the statement below the list of ingredients, which states ``adds a 
trivial amount of cholesterol,'' ``adds a negligible amount of 
cholesterol,'' or ``adds a dietarily insignificant amount of 
cholesterol;'' and
    (C) The food contains 2 g or less of saturated fatty acids per 
reference amount cutomarily consumed or, in the case of a meal product 
or main dish product less than 2 g of saturated fatty acids per labeled 
serving; and
    (D) The label or labeling discloses the level of total fat in a 
serving (as declared on the label) of the food. Such disclosure shall 
appear in immediate proximity to such claim preceding any disclosure 
statement required under Sec. 101.13(h) in type that shall be no less 
than one-half the size of the type used for such claim. If the claim 
appears on more than one panel, the disclosure shall be made on each 
panel except for the panel that bears nutrition labeling. If the claim 
appears more than once on a panel, the disclosure shall be made in 
immediate proximity to the claim that is printed in the largest type; 
and
    (E) As required in Sec. 101.13(e)(2), if the food contains less than 
2 mg of cholesterol per reference amount customarily consumed or in the 
case of a meal product or main dish product less than 2 mg of 
cholesterol per labeled serving without the benefit of special 
processing, alteration, formulation, or reformulation to lower 
cholesterol content, it is labeled to disclose that cholesterol is not 
usually present in the food (e.g., ``canola oil, a cholesterol-free 
food, contains 14 g of fat per serving''); or
    (F) If the food contains less than 2 mg of cholesterol per reference 
amount customarily consumed or in the case of a meal product or main 
dish product less than 2 mg of cholesterol per labeled serving only as a 
result of special processing, alteration, formulation, or reformulation, 
the amount of cholesterol is substantially less (i.e., meets 
requirements of paragraph (d)(4)(ii)(A) of this section) than the food 
for which it substitutes as specified in Sec. 101.13(d) that has a 
significant (e.g., 5 percent or more of a national or regional market) 
market share. As required in Sec. 101.13(j)(2) for relative claims:
    (1) The identity of the reference food and the percent (or fraction) 
that the cholesterol was reduced are declared in immediate proximity to 
the most prominent such claim (e.g., ``cholesterol-free margarine, 
contains 100 percent less cholesterol than butter''); and
    (2) Quantitative information comparing the level of cholesterol in 
the product per labeled serving with that

[[Page 109]]

of the reference food that it replaces (e.g., ``Contains no cholesterol 
compared with 30 mg cholesterol in one serving of butter. Contains 13 g 
of fat per serving.'') is declared adjacent to the most prominent claim 
or to the nutrition label, except that if the nutrition label is on the 
information panel, the quantitative information may be located elsewhere 
on the information panel in accordance with Sec. 101.2.
    (2) The terms ``low in cholesterol,'' ``low cholesterol,'' 
``contains a small amount of cholesterol,'' ``low source of 
cholesterol,'' or ``little cholesterol'' may be used on the label or in 
the labeling of foods, except meal products as defined in Sec. 101.13(l) 
and main dish products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m), provided that:
    (i) For foods that have a reference amount customarily consumed 
greater than 30 g or greater than 2 tablespoons and contain 13 g or less 
of total fat per reference amount customarily consumed and per labeled 
serving:
    (A) The food contains 20 mg or less of cholesterol per reference 
amount customarily consumed;
    (B) The food contains 2 g or less of saturated fatty acids per 
reference amount customarily consumed; and
    (C) As required in Sec. 101.13(e)(2), if the food meets these 
conditions without the benefit of special processing, alteration, 
formulation, or reformulation to lower cholesterol content, it is 
labeled to clearly refer to all foods of that type and not merely to the 
particular brand to which the label attaches (e.g., ``low fat cottage 
cheese, a low cholesterol food.'').
    (ii) For foods that have a reference amount customarily consumed of 
30 g or less or 2 tablespoons or less and contain 13 g or less of total 
fat per reference amount customarily consumed, per labeled serving, and 
per 50 g (for dehydrated foods that must be reconstituted before typical 
consumption with water or a diluent containing an insignificant amount, 
as defined in Sec. 101.9(f)(1), of all nutrients per reference amount 
customarily consumed, the per 50-g criterion refers to the ``as 
prepared'' form);
    (A) The food contains 20 mg or less of cholesterol per reference 
amount customarily consumed and per 50 g (for dehydrated foods that must 
be reconstituted before typical consumption with water or a diluent 
containing an insignificant amount, as defined in Sec. 101.9(f)(1), of 
all nutrients per reference amount customarily consumed, the per 50-g 
criterion refers to the ``as prepared'' form);
    (B) The food contains 2 g or less of saturated fatty acids per 
reference amount customarily consumed; and
    (C) As required in Sec. 101.13(e)(2), if the food meets these 
conditions without the benefit of special processing, alteration, 
formulation, or reformulation to lower cholesterol content, it is 
labeled to clearly refer to all foods of that type and not merely to the 
particular brand to which the label attaches (e.g., ``low fat cottage 
cheese, a low cholesterol food'').
    (iii) For foods that have a reference amount customarily consumed 
greater than 30 g or greater than 2 tablespoons and contain more than 13 
g of total fat per reference amount customarily consumed or per labeled 
serving,
    (A) The food contains 20 mg or less of cholesterol per reference 
amount customarily consumed;
    (B) The food contains 2 g or less of saturated fatty acids per 
reference amount customarily consumed;
    (C) The label or labeling discloses the level of total fat in a 
serving (as declared on the label) of the food. Such disclosure shall 
appear in immediate proximity to such claim preceding any disclosure 
statement required under Sec. 101.13(h) in type that shall be no less 
than one-half the size of the type used for such claim. If the claim 
appears on more than one panel, the disclosure shall be made on each 
panel except for the panel that bears nutrition labeling. If the claim 
is made more than once on a panel, the disclosure shall be made in 
immediate proximity to the claim that is printed in the largest type; 
and
    (D) As required in Sec. 101.13(e)(2), if the food meets these 
conditions without the benefit of special processing, alteration, 
formulation, or reformulation to lower cholesterol content, it is 
labeled to clearly refer to all foods of that type and not merely to the 
particular brand to which the label attaches; or

[[Page 110]]

    (E) If the food contains 20 mg or less of cholesterol only as a 
result of special processing, alteration, formulation, or reformulation, 
the amount of cholesterol is substantially less (i.e., meets 
requirements of paragraph (d)(4)(ii)(A) of this section) than the food 
for which it substitutes as specified in Sec. 101.13(d) that has a 
significant (e.g., 5 percent or more of a national or regional market) 
market share. As required in Sec. 101.13(j)(2) for relative claims:
    (1) The identity of the reference food and the percent (or fraction) 
that the cholesterol has been reduced are declared in immediate 
proximity to the most prominent such claim (e.g., ``low-cholesterol 
peanut butter sandwich crackers, contains 83 percent less cholesterol 
than our regular peanut butter sandwich crackers''); and
    (2) Quantitative information comparing the level of cholesterol in 
the product per labeled serving with that of the reference food that it 
replaces (e.g., ``Cholesterol lowered from 30 mg to 5 mg per serving; 
contains 13 g of fat per serving.'') is declared adjacent to the most 
prominent claim or to the nutrition label, except that if the nutrition 
label is on the information panel, the quantitative information may be 
located elsewhere on the information panel in accordance with 
Sec. 101.2.
    (iv) For foods that have a reference amount customarily consumed of 
30 g or less or 2 tablespoons or less and contain more than 13 g of 
total fat per reference amount customarily consumed, per labeled 
serving, or per 50 g (for dehydrated foods that must be reconstituted 
before typical consumption with water or a diluent containing an 
insignificant amount, as defined in Sec. 101.9(f)(1), of all nutrients 
per reference amount customarily consumed, the per 50-g criterion refers 
to the ``as prepared'' form),
    (A) The food contains 20 mg or less of cholesterol per reference 
amount customarily consumed and per 50 g (for dehydrated foods that must 
be reconstituted before typical consumption with water or a diluent 
containing an insignificant amount, as defined in Sec. 101.9(f)(1), of 
all nutrients per reference amount customarily consumed, the per 50-g 
criterion refers to the ``as prepared'' form),
    (B) The food contains 2 g or less of saturated fatty acids per 
reference amount customarily consumed;
    (C) The label or labeling discloses the level of total fat in a 
serving (as declared on the label) of the food. Such disclosure shall 
appear in immediate proximity to such claim preceding any disclosure 
statement required under Sec. 101.13(h) in type that shall be no less 
than one-half the size of the type used for such claim. If the claim 
appears on more than one panel, the disclosure shall be made on each 
panel except for the panel that bears nutrition labeling. If the claim 
is made more than once on a panel, the disclosure shall be made in 
immediate proximity to the claim that is printed in the largest type; 
and
    (D) As required in Sec. 101.13(e)(2), if the food meets these 
conditions without the benefit of special processing, alteration, 
formulation, or reformulation to lower cholesterol content, it is 
labeled to clearly refer to all foods of that type and not merely to the 
particular brand to which the label attaches; or
    (E) If the food contains 20 mg or less of cholesterol only as a 
result of special processing, alteration, formulation, or reformulation, 
the amount of cholesterol is substantially less (i.e., meets 
requirements of paragraph (d)(4)(ii)(A) of this section) than the food 
for which it substitutes as specified in Sec. 101.13(d) that has a 
significant (i.e., 5 percent or more of a national or regional market) 
market share. As required in Sec. 101.13(j)(2) for relative claims:
    (1) The identity of the reference food and the percent (or fraction) 
that the cholesterol has been reduced are declared in immediate 
proximity to the most prominent such claim (e.g., ``low-cholesterol 
peanut butter sandwich crackers, contains 83 percent less cholesterol 
than our regular peanut butter sandwich crackers''); and
    (2) Quantitative information comparing the level of cholesterol in 
the product per labeled serving with that of the reference food that it 
replaces (e.g., ``Cholesterol lowered from 30 mg to 5 mg per serving; 
contains 13 g of fat per serving.'') is declared adjacent to

[[Page 111]]

the most prominent claim or to the nutrition label, except that if the 
nutrition label is on the information panel, the quantitative 
information may be located elsewhere on the information panel in 
accordance with Sec. 101.2.
    (3) The terms defined in paragraph (d)(2) of this section may be 
used on the label and in labeling of meal products as defined in 
Sec. 101.13(l) or a main dish product as defined in Sec. 101.13(m) 
provided that the product meets the requirements of paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section except that the determination as to whether paragraph 
(d)(2)(i) or (d)(2)(iii) of this section applies to the product will be 
made only on the basis of whether the meal product contains 26 g or less 
of total fat per labeled serving or the main dish product contain 19.5 g 
or less of total fat per labeled serving, the requirement in paragraphs 
(d)(2)(i)(A) and (d)(2)(iii)(A) of this section shall be limited to 20 
mg of cholesterol per 100 g, and the requirement in paragraphs 
(d)(2)(i)(B) and (d)(2)(iii)(B) of this section shall be modified to 
require that the food contain 2 g or less of saturated fat per 100 g 
rather than per reference amount customarily consumed.
    (4) The terms ``reduced cholesterol,'' ``reduced in cholesterol,'' 
``cholesterol reduced,'' ``less cholesterol,'' ``lower cholesterol,'' or 
``lower in cholesterol'' except as limited by Sec. 101.13(j)(1)(i) may 
be used on the label or in labeling of foods or foods that substitute 
for those foods as specified in Sec. 101.13(d), excluding meal products 
as defined in Sec. 101.13(l) and main dish products as defined in 
Sec. 101.13(m), provided that:
    (i) For foods that contain 13 g or less of total fat per reference 
amount customarily consumed, per labeled serving, and per 50 g if the 
reference amount customarily consumed is 30 g or less or 2 tablespoons 
or less (for dehydrated foods that must be reconstituted before typical 
consumption with water or a diluent containing an insignificant amount, 
as defined in Sec. 101.9(f)(1), of all nutrients per reference amount 
customarily consumed, the per 50-g criterion refers to the ``as 
prepared'' form):
    (A) The food has been specifically formulated, altered, or processed 
to reduce its cholesterol by 25 percent or more from the reference food 
it resembles as defined in Sec. 101.13(j)(1) and for which it 
substitutes as specified in Sec. 101.13(d) that has a significant (i.e., 
5 percent or more) market share; and
    (B) The food contains 2 g or less of saturated fatty acids per 
reference amount customarily consumed; and
    (C) As required in Sec. 101.13(j)(2) for relative claims:
    (1) The identity of the reference food and the percent (or fraction) 
that the cholesterol has been reduced are declared in immediate 
proximity to the most prominent such claim; and
    (2) Quantitative information comparing the level of cholesterol in 
the product per labeled serving with that of the reference food that it 
replaces (e.g., ``[labeled product] 50 mg cholesterol per serving; 
[reference product] 30 mg cholesterol per serving'') is declared 
adjacent to the most prominent claim or to the nutrition label, except 
that if the nutrition label is on the information panel, the 
quantitative information may be located elsewhere on the information 
panel in accordance with Sec. 101.2.
    (ii) For foods that contain more than 13 g of total fat per 
reference amount customarily consumed, per labeled serving, or per 50 g 
if the reference amount customarily consumed is 30 g or less or 2 
tablespoons or less (for dehydrated foods that must be reconstituted 
before typical consumption with water or a diluent containing an 
insignificant amount, as defined in Sec. 101.9(f)(1), of all nutrients 
per reference amount customarily consumed, the per 50-g criterion refers 
to the ``as prepared'' form):
    (A) The food has been specifically formulated, altered, or processed 
to reduce its cholesterol by 25 percent or more from the reference food 
it resembles as defined in Sec. 101.13(j)(1) and for which it 
substitutes as specified in Sec. 101.13(d) that has a significant (i.e., 
5 percent or more of a national or regional market) market share;
    (B) The food contains 2 g or less of saturated fatty acids per 
reference amount customarily consumed;
    (C) The label or labeling discloses the level of total fat in a 
serving (as declared on the label) of the food. Such disclosure shall 
appear in immediate

[[Page 112]]

proximity to such claim preceding any disclosure statement required 
under Sec. 101.13(h) in type that shall be no less than one-half the 
size of the type used for such claim. If the claim appears on more than 
one panel, the disclosure shall be made on each panel except for the 
panel that bears nutrition labeling. If the claim is made more than once 
on a panel, the disclosure shall be made in immediate proximity to the 
claim that is printed in the largest type; and
    (D) As required in Sec. 101.13(j)(2) for relative claims:
    (1) The identity of the reference food and the percent (or fraction) 
that the cholesterol has been reduced are declared in immediate 
proximity to the most prominent such claim (e.g., 25 percent less 
cholesterol than ------); and
    (2) Quantitative information comparing the level of cholesterol in 
the product per labeled serving with that of the reference food that it 
replaces (e.g., ``Cholesterol lowered from 55 mg to 30 mg per serving. 
Contains 13 g of fat per serving.'') is declared adjacent to the most 
prominent claim or to the nutrition label, except that if the nutrition 
label is on the information panel, the quantitative information may be 
located elsewhere on the information panel in accordance with 
Sec. 101.2.
    (iii) Claims described in paragraph (d)(4) of this section may not 
be made on the label or in labeling of a food if the nutrient content of 
the reference food meets the definition for ``low cholesterol.''
    (5) The terms defined in paragraph (d)(4) of this section may be 
used on the label or in the labeling of meal products as defined in 
Sec. 101.13(l) and main dish products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m), 
provided that:
    (i) For meal products that contain 26.0 g or less of total fat per 
labeled serving or for main dish products that contain 19.5 g or less of 
total fat per labeled serving;
    (A) The food has been specifically formulated, altered, or processed 
to reduce its cholesterol by 25 percent or more from the reference food 
it resembles as defined in Sec. 101.13(j)(1) and for which it 
substitutes as specified in Sec. 101.13(d) that has a significant (e.g., 
5 percent or more of a national or regional market) market share;
    (B) The food contains 2 g or less of saturated fatty acids per 100 
g; and
    (C) As required in Sec. 101.13(j)(2) for relative claims:
    (1) The identity of the reference food, and the percent (or 
fraction) that the cholesterol has been reduced are declared in 
immediate proximity to the most prominent such claim (e.g., ``25% less 
cholesterol per 3 oz than ------); and
    (2) Quantitative information comparing the level of cholesterol in 
the product per specified weight with that of the reference food that it 
replaces (e.g., ``Cholesterol content has been reduced from 35 mg per 3 
oz to 25 mg per 3 oz.'') is declared adjacent to the most prominent 
claim or to the nutrition label, except that if the nutrition label is 
on the information panel, the quantitative information may be located 
elsewhere on the information panel in accordance with Sec. 101.2.
    (ii) For meal products that contain more than 26.0 g of total fat 
per labeled serving or for main dish products that contain more than 
19.5 g of total fat per labeled serving:
    (A) The food has been specifically formulated, altered, or processed 
to reduce its cholesterol by 25 percent or more from the reference food 
it resembles as defined in Sec. 101.13(j)(1) and for which it 
substitutes as specified in Sec. 101.13(d) that has a significant (e.g., 
5 percent or more of a national or regional market) market share.
    (B) The food contains 2 g or less of saturated fatty acids per 100 
g;
    (C) The label or labeling discloses the level of total fat in a 
serving (as declared on the label) of the food. Such disclosure shall 
appear in immediate proximity to such claim preceding any disclosure 
statement required under Sec. 101.13(h) in type that shall be no less 
than one-half the size of the type used for such claim. If the claim 
appears on more than one panel the disclosure shall be made on each 
panel except for the panel that bears nutrition labeling. If the claim 
is made more than once on a panel, the disclosure shall be made in 
immediate proximity to the claim that is printed in the largest type; 
and

[[Page 113]]

    (D) As required in Sec. 101.13(j)(2) for relative claims:
    (1) The identity of the reference food and the percent (or fraction) 
that the cholesterol has been reduced are declared in immediate 
proximity to the most prominent such claim (e.g., 25 percent less 
cholesterol than ------); and
    (2) Quantitative information comparing the level of cholesterol in 
the product per specified weight with that of the reference food that it 
replaces (e.g., ``Cholesterol lowered from 30 mg to 22 mg per 3 oz of 
product.'') is declared adjacent to the most prominent claim or to the 
nutrition label, except that if the nutrition label is on the 
information panel, the quantitative information may be located elsewhere 
on the information panel in accordance with Sec. 101.2.
    (iii) Claims described in paragraph (d)(5) of this section may not 
be made on the label or in the labeling of a food if the nutrient 
content of the reference food meets the definition for ``low 
cholesterol.''
    (e) ``Lean'' and ``extra lean'' claims. (1) The term ``lean'' may be 
used on the label or in labeling of foods except meal products as 
defined in Sec. 101.13(l) and main dish products as defined in 
Sec. 101.13(m) provided that the food is a seafood or game meat product 
and as packaged contains less than 10 g total fat, 4.5 g or less 
saturated fat, and less than 95 mg cholesterol per reference amount 
customarily consumed and per 100 g;
    (2) The term defined in paragraph (e)(1) of this section may be used 
on the label or in the labeling of meal products as defined in 
Sec. 101.13(l) or main dish products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m) 
provided that the food contains less than 10 g total fat, 4.5 g or less 
saturated fat, and less than 95 mg cholesterol per 100 g and per labeled 
serving;
    (3) The term ``extra lean'' may be used on the label or in the 
labeling of foods except meal products as defined in Sec. 101.13(l) and 
main dish products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m) provided that the food 
is a discrete seafood or game meat product and as packaged contains less 
than 5 g total fat, less than 2 g saturated fat, and less than 95 mg 
cholesterol per reference amount customarily consumed and per 100 g; and
    (4) The term defined in paragraph (e)(3) of this section may be used 
on the label or in labeling of meal products as defined in 
Sec. 101.13(l) and main dish products as defined in Sec. 101.13(m) 
provided that the food contains less than 5 g of fat, less than 2 g of 
saturated fat, and less than 95 mg of cholesterol per 100 g and per 
labeled serving.
    (f) Misbranding. Any label or labeling containing any statement 
concerning fat, fatty acids, or cholesterol that is not in conformity 
with this section shall be deemed to be misbranded under sections 
201(n), 403(a), and 403(r) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

[58 FR 2413, Jan. 6, 1993; 58 FR 17342, 17343, Apr. 2, 1993, as amended 
at 58 FR 44032, Aug. 18, 1993; 58 FR 60105, Nov. 15, 1993; 59 FR 394, 
Jan. 4, 1994; 60 FR 17207, Apr. 5, 1995; 61 FR 59001, Nov. 20, 1996; 63 
FR 26980, May 15, 1998]