1
Journal
 How often do you use a nutrition facts label?
 Make a list of as many things you can come
up with that are on a nutrition facts label.
©Learning ZoneXpress
2
©Learning ZoneXpress
By Louanne Kaupa, RD, LN and edited by Felicia Busch, MPH, RD, FADA
3
State Standards
 3.4: Demonstrate the use of current dietary
guidelines in meeting individual nutritional
needs across the lifespan.
©Learning ZoneXpress
4
Introduction
 In this presentation you will learn how to:
• Recognize the important facts on
food labels
• Define nutrition terms used on labels
• Compare food
products
• Select foods
based on
nutritional value
©Learning ZoneXpress
5
History of Food Labels
 Food labels of the past were often confusing
to consumers due to:
• Listing of nutrients in metric weights
• Portion sizes being listed
in metric weights
• Complicated fine print
• Information about
dietary fats, fiber and
sugar not included and/
or misleading content
©Learning ZoneXpress
6
Rules and Regulations
 Today’s food label rules and regulations are
developed by:
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• The Food Safety and Inspection Service of
the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA)
©Learning ZoneXpress
7
Current Food Label
Requirements
 The current requirements include:
• Universal format
• Defined health
claims only
• Standard sizes
• Daily values
• Order of ingredient list
• Contact information
©Learning ZoneXpress
8
Exceptions to the Rules
 Some of the current exceptions include:
• Plain coffee and tea
• Spices and flavorings
• Sample sized products
• Foods made on-site
• Fresh fruits,
vegetables
and seafood
©Learning ZoneXpress
9
The ‘Nutrition Facts’
Nutrition information that must be listed on the
“Nutrition Facts” panel includes:
Serving size of the
food in both a
household
measuring unit and
its metric
equivalent.
The total calories
in each serving
and
the total calories
from fat.
©Learning ZoneXpress
The number of
servings in the
container.
Nutrition
information is
listed as amount
of “% Daily Value”
it represents
per serving.
10
The Percent Daily Values
 “% Daily Values” are used to show how
one serving of food fits into a 2000 calorie
reference diet
% Daily values
shows how one
serving fits into a
2000 calorie diet
©Learning ZoneXpress
11
Terms Used On Food Labels
 Total Fat
• Saturated
• Trans fat
• Polyunsaturated fat
• Monounsaturated fat
 Cholesterol
©Learning ZoneXpress
12
Facts on Fat
 To lower your fat intake,
compare similar foods
and choose:
• Food with the lower
combined saturated
and trans fats
• AND the lower
amount of cholesterol
 Many food companies
and restaurants are
voluntarily reducing or
eliminating the use of
trans fats in their
products
©Learning ZoneXpress
13
Terms Used On Food Labels
 Diet
 Low Calorie
 Reduced Calorie
 Fat Free
 Low Fat
 Calorie-Free
 Sugar-Free
©Learning ZoneXpress
14
Terms Used On Food Labels
 Excellent Source
 Good Source
 Healthy
 Light
©Learning ZoneXpress
15
Terms Used On Food Labels
 Reduced
 Low Sodium
 Very Low Sodium
 Lean
 Extra Lean
 0g Trans Fat
©Learning ZoneXpress
16
Health Claims
 In the past, many labels listed false claims
to improve health or prevent certain
diseases
 Today, the FDA has very strict guidelines on
which nutrients may be linked with diseases
©Learning ZoneXpress
17
Health Claims
 Calcium linked to osteoporosis
 Sodium linked with high blood pressure
 Dietary fat linked with certain cancers
 Dietary saturated fat and cholesterol
linked with coronary heat disease
 Fiber linked to certain cancers
 Fruits and vegetables linked
with certain cancers
©Learning ZoneXpress
18
Comparison Claims
 Today many products use the terms “reduced,”
“fewer,” “less,” “more,” and “light” to assist in
comparison shopping
 In order to use these terms the manufacturer must
include the percent difference with the product
being compared
©Learning ZoneXpress
19
Comparison Claims
 Products using the terms “light” or
“reduced” must be compared with a
similar product
 Products using the terms “less” or “fewer”
may be compared to different products
 Products using the terms “enriched,”
“added,” or “fortified” must have 10% or
more of the Daily Value for a particular
nutrient than the product being compared
©Learning ZoneXpress
20
Main Dishes
 Many consumers today are purchasing
entire meal entrees
 Consumers want to know how these
meals fit into the daily
nutritional values
©Learning ZoneXpress
21
Dietary Guidelines for
Americans
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans were developed by the
USDA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
©Learning ZoneXpress
22
Feel better today…
stay healthy tomorrow.
 Make smart choices from every
food group
 Find your balance between food
and physical activity
 Get the most nutrition
in your calories
MyPyramid was created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
©Learning ZoneXpress
23
Make smart choices…
from every food group.
 A healthy eating plan is one that:
• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
• Includes lean meats,
poultry, fish, beans,
eggs and nuts
• Is low in saturated fats,
trans fats, cholesterol,
salt (sodium) and
added sugars
©Learning ZoneXpress
24
Mix up your choices…
within each food group.
 Get your calcium-rich foods
 Focus on fruits
 Vary your veggies
 Make half your
grains whole
 Go lean with protein
©Learning ZoneXpress
25
Find your balance between…
food and physical activity.
 Children and teenagers should
be physically active for 60
minutes every day, or
most every day
 If you eat 100 more food
calories a day than you
burn, you’ll gain
about one pound
in a month.
That’s 12
pounds a year!
©Learning ZoneXpress
26
You’re the Expert
 You are grocery shopping with your
Grandma who tells you she never reads
food labels because of her bad experiences
with them in the past
 Explain to her
how the food
labels have
changed and
the information
they provide
©Learning ZoneXpress
27
Applying What You Know
Pick one of the following assignments to be completed outside of class.
 Select three different food labels and display them on a
poster. Include descriptions of each part of the label. Also
write a brief description of how you would include this
product in your daily diet.
 Visit a local supermarket and do your own comparison
shopping. Select five different foods to compare to at least
three similar items (for example, compare three different
types of frozen pizzas, or three different brands of cereal).
Which product would you select in each of the five
categories, why? Write a one-page summary of your results.
 Design your own label for a product of your choice.
Be sure to include accurate information and meet all of the
food label requirements. Present your label to the class and
share the product information.
©Learning ZoneXpress
28
Quiz
Choose the best answer for the following questions.
1. Food label regulations are developed by the:
a) FDA
b) Food Safety and Inspection Service
c) United Supermarket Association
d) A and B
2. Which of the following is not a current requirement on food labels?
a) Information is current and accurate.
b) Health claims are scientifically proven.
c) The product is compared with a similar product.
d) A phone number or address of the distributor /manufacturer is
on the label.
3. Which of the following terms refers to a product which has 0.5 gm
or less of fat per serving?
a) Low Fat
b) Light
c) Reduced Fat
d) Fat Free
©Learning ZoneXpress
29
Quiz
4. Which of the following items must be included on a food label?
a) Nutrition Facts
b) Total number of servings
c) Total Calories from fat
d) All of the Above
5. Which comparison terms can only be used when comparing
similar product items?
a) “less” or “fewer”
b) “Healthy”
c) “light” or “reduced”
d) “more”
©Learning ZoneXpress
30
Exploring the Web
 Here are some suggested sites you and your class may want to
investigate for more information on nutrients:
• http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/food_labels.html
– Facts and information on understanding food labels
• http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/label.html
– FDA Food Labeling Web Site
• http://www.sugar.org/uploadedFiles/
Media/Publications/testlabeliq.pdf
– Test your food label IQ
• http://MyPyramid.gov
– USDA food guide & dietary guidelines
©Learning ZoneXpress
31
Copyright 2009 Learning ZoneXpress
888.455.7003
www.learningzonexpress.com
©Learning ZoneXpress