Use of Term "Low Glycemic"

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Created on 01, October, 2007

The Web site for an agave sweetener states that it is an FDA violation to claim a product is “low glycemic” when it isn’t.

Actually, it is a violation to label a food “low glycemic” whether the food is or isn’t, because there is no legally accepted definition for “low glycemic” in food labeling (not to mention scientific agreement on the health benefits), and food labeling claims regarding glycemic index value are not allowed on packaging or in advertising (including on Web sites). For more on the glycemic index controversy, see this American Dietetic Association article.