Food & Supplement Labels
List of Ingredients
Nutrition Facts Panel
Claims
% Fat
Nutrient Claims
Other Claims
Supplement Regulations
DSHEA
USP verification
Certifications
Organic & Fair Trade
List of Ingredients
Listed in descending order, by weight
To choose Whole Wheat Bread:
Look for whole wheat (grain) as first ingredient.
If “wheat” is first ingredient, not whole grain
Product can be labeled “No Transfat” if it has
<0.5 grams of transfat per serving
Check for “partially hydrogenated oil” in ingredients
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
How many servings do you eat?
The % DV indicates the amount
that ONE SERVING contributes
Standard servings sizes for each
type of food
The Daily Value is scientifically
agreed upon daily intake of
nutrients.
Based on 2,000 calorie diet.
Nutrition Facts
% Daily Value (DV)
Helpful to increase or limit nutrients
<5% of DV is low
>20% of DV is high
Required to provide % DV for 4
vitamins & minerals:
Vitamin A & C, Calcium & Iron
If label claims “Good source of…” or
“fortified”, must provide % DV for
that specific nutrient.
% Fat
Refers to % fat by weight NOT calories
To find % fat by calories use this formula:
(total fat grams) x (9 cal/gram) ÷ (total
calories) x 100 = % fat
Nutrition Facts
% Fat from Calories
Serving Size 1 cup
5 x 9 = 45
45 ÷ 122 = 0.3688
0.37 x 100 = 37%
Calories 122
Total Fat 5 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
37% of the calories
come from fat
2% Milk
Serving Size
1 cup
Calories
122
Total Fat
5g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Nutrient Claims
Light:
50% less fat than the regular brand
1/3 fewer calories than the regular brand
Texture or color “light brown sugar” or “light olive oil”
Reduced: 25% less nutrient or calories than regular brand
Good Source: If food contains 10-19% Daily Value for
specific nutrient, example: “good source of Vitamin C”.
High/Excellent: If a food contains  20% Daily Value for
specific nutrient, example: “high fiber”.
Other Claims
“Natural”
FDA – no standard definition
“No added hormones” on poultry label
Hormones not given to poultry since 1950’s
Look for “NO ANTIBIOTICS”
“Cage free”
All broiler chickens are raised in cage free barns, most raised in
enclosed buildings. Look for “free-range”
Look for “cage free” or “free-range” when buying eggs. Laying
hens are raised in cramped wire cages.
ALL “Organic” chickens and eggs are free range. Birds must
have access to outside with shade & shelter. No antibiotics
allowed.
Dietary Supplements
Do not have to prove they are safe
Do not have to prove they are effective
Product label may not contain all the
ingredients in declared amounts
Product may contain ingredients not listed
DSHEA - Dietary Supplement
Health and Education Act
A legislative act
passed in 1994.
Broadened the
regulatory definition of
dietary supplements
Altered the federal
government’s oversight
of supplement products.
DSHEA Requirements
Safety: Supplement company not required to test
product for safety
FDA can only step in if product proven to cause harm
Effectiveness: Supplement company does not
have to prove product does what it claims.
Claims: “energy enhancer”, “builds muscle”,
“boosts immune system”
Not reviewed by FDA. Based on companies
interpretation of scientific studies.
Must include disclaimer
Disclaimer Statement
“This statement has not been
evaluated by the FDA. This product
is not intended to diagnose treat,
cure or prevent any disease”.
DSHEA Label Requirement
Label must include Facts
Panel & list of ingredients
Appearance very similar to
Nutrition Facts on food
Food regulated by FDA;
supplements are not
May contain ingredients
not on label, omit
ingredients stated on label.
Challenge Question
Which statement do you agree with?
1. Supplements are regulated by the FDA.
2. Supplements are tested for effectiveness
prior to marketing the product
3. Supplements do not have to prove they
are safe.
USP Verification
Indicates:
Contains amounts &
potency of ingredients on
the label
Does not contain harmful
contaminants
Easily released into body
LABEL DOES NOT MEAN:
• The product is effective
• The product is safe
Supplement Verification
USDA Organic Standards:
Plants:
Grown in soils not treated with conventional
pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides for at least 3 years
Produced without genetically engineered seeds
Animals:
Given organic feed.
Raised WITHOUT antibiotics
Can NOT be raised in “factory-like” confinement
conditions. Must have access to outdoors.
Organic Certification
“100% Organic”
Contains ONLY organic ingredients excluding water
and salt
“Organic”
USDA/Organic seal identifies products with at least
95% organic ingredients.
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“Made with organic ingredients”
Contains at least 70% organic ingredients
Not allowed to use USDA Organic seal
Fair Trade Certification
An international movement committed to
farmers receiving a fair price for their
production of food products
Benefits go directly to farmers and their
communities.
Over 1 million farmers in 58 developing
countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America
are Fair Trade Certified.
Fair Trade Principles:
Fair Prices: Farm co-ops receive a guaranteed minimum floor price
Fair Working Conditions: Workers have safe working conditions.
Forced child labor is prohibited
Direct Trade: Importers purchase from Fair Trade co-ops directly
Democratic Decisions: Co-op members decide democratically how
to use their fair trade revenues. They invest in business
development, equipment, training and organic certification
Environmentally Sustainable: Farming system protects the farmer’s
health and preserves the environment for future generations.
Genetically engineered seeds are prohibited
Fair Trade USA
A non-profit organization located in Oakland
www.transfairusa.org
Leading certifier of Fair Trade products in U.S.
Products meet the standards & display the Fair Trade
label
Certified products include:
Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar
Some fresh fruit, wine, flowers & cotton (apparel)
Fairtrade Video
In 2011, Transfair changed it’s name to
Fairtrade USA.
In video they mention Transfair.
Fairtrade USA & Transfair are same
organization.