Components of Food Label
•Statement of identity (what it is)
•Net weight
•Name & address of manufacturer, packer, or distributor
•List of ingredients
•Nutrition Facts label
Statement of Identity
•Common or usual name of product
–Ketchup, cereal, potato chips
–Appropriately descriptive; you can’t claim Kool-Aid as a fruit juice
Ingredient List
•In descending order by weight
•Listed as common name
•Preservatives listed with their functions
•Sometimes will be warning label, as with aspartame (contains phenylalanine) or “may
contain peanuts or nuts”
Nutrition Facts Label
•Must appear on nearly all processed food products
•Serving size (standardized)
•Servings per container
•Calories per serving
•Calories from fat (per serving)
One serving of corn chips contains 153 Calories and 86 Calories from fat
Try calculating this one
•One KFC Extra Crispy chicken thigh has 370 Calories and 225 fat Calories
Which has lower % Calories from fat?
•2 tablespoons peanut butter (190 Calories, 144 fat Calories), OR
•2 tablespoons soy butter (174 Calories, 102 fat Calories)
% Daily Value
•Comparison standard specifically for food labels--DO NOT confuse with RDA
•See table 2-6 for numbers
•Only micronutrients required to be on label are vitamins A and C, calcium and iron
•If food is fortified or enriched, other nutrients must be listed
Health Claims on Food Labels
•Approved by Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as result of Nutrition Labeling and
Education Act of 1990
•Must be supported by scientific evidence
•Examples:
–Calcium and osteoporosis
–Folate and neural tube defects
–Soluble fiber and heart disease
Coming to a Food Label Near You …
•Amount of trans fatty acids will be listed on food labels starting January 2006
•Health claims on food labels submitted to FDA after 9/1/2003 will be given grades as to
their level of scientific support
–A=High; significant scientific evidence
–B=Some studies, but not conclusive
–C=Low evidence
–D=Extremely low
Problems with ABCD System
•Confusing to consumers
•Unsatisfactory to manufacturers