Nutrition Facts Labeling Laws

30 Second Bytes with Dietitian Cindy

Frightening Food Facts

We have covered cockroach milk and added sugars now let’s jump into my soapbox, food labels.

Stop getting pulled into the health halo and start looking closely at the nutrition facts labels on the back of food products. Why? Because the front of the container LIES all day long!

“Free” doesn’t mean free when it comes to our food.

Nutrients per Serving

Free

Low

Reduced/Less

Light (Lite)

Calories

Less than 5 calories

40 calories or less

At last 25% fewer calories

At least 1/3 fewer calories

Fat

Less than 0.5 gm fat

3 gm or less fat

At least 25% less fat

At least 50% less fat

Saturated Fat

Less than 0.5 gm saturated fat

1 gm or less saturated fat and no more than 15% of calories from saturated fat

At least 25% less saturated fat

Not used

Cholesterol

Less than 2 mg cholesterol and 2 gm or less saturated fat

20 mg or less cholesterol and 2 gm or less saturated fat

At least 25% less cholesterol and 2 gm or less saturated fat

Not used

Sodium

Less than 5 mg sodium

140 mg or less sodium

At least 25% less sodium

At least 50% less sodium

Sugar

Less than 1.2 gm sugars

Not a legal claim

At least 25% less sugar

Not used

Photo Source: http://www.pamcookingspray.com/products/original

Sources:

https://www.bestfoodfacts.org/deciphering-food-label-clues/

http://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/labelingnutrition/ucm2006860.htm

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/food/newsevents/workshopsmeetingsconferences/ucm403517.pdf

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/SimpleCookingwithHeart/Using-Food-Labels-As-A-Shopping-Guide_UCM_430119_Article.jsp#.WBf9MNUrKpo

http://www.esha.com/labeling-compliance/nutrition-facts-label-industry-resources/

http://www.crisco.com/products/all-vegetable-shortening-17-315