Food Labels A closer look at the food we eat. What is a food label? A panel of nutrition information required on all processed foods regulated by the

Food LabelsFood Labels

A closer look at the food we eatA closer look at the food we eat

What is a food label?What is a food label?

A panel of nutrition information required on all A panel of nutrition information required on all processed foods regulated by the Food and processed foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Drug Administration (FDA).

Required by law to include the following Required by law to include the following elements:elements: Name of the foodName of the food Net weight or volumeNet weight or volume Name and address or manufacturer, distributor, or Name and address or manufacturer, distributor, or

packagerpackager IngredientsIngredients Nutrient contentNutrient content

The different parts of a labelThe different parts of a label

Nutrition facts-the title of the information Nutrition facts-the title of the information panel.panel.

Serving size-the listing of the amount of Serving size-the listing of the amount of food that is considered a serving.food that is considered a serving. The serving size may be smaller than the The serving size may be smaller than the

amount you actually consumeamount you actually consume The serving size listings on food labels are The serving size listings on food labels are

now uniform for similar products. These are now uniform for similar products. These are determined by the FDA.determined by the FDA.


Servings per container-the listing of the Servings per container-the listing of the number of servings in the container or number of servings in the container or package.package. The number can be deceivingThe number can be deceiving You have to multiply the calories and nutrients You have to multiply the calories and nutrients

by the number of servings per container to by the number of servings per container to determine the total for the packagedetermine the total for the package

Calories listing-the listing of the number of Calories listing-the listing of the number of calories in one serving of the foodcalories in one serving of the food


Calories from fat-the listing of the number Calories from fat-the listing of the number of calories from fat in one serving of foodof calories from fat in one serving of food

Percent daily value-the portion of the daily Percent daily value-the portion of the daily amount of a nutrient provided by one amount of a nutrient provided by one serving of the foodserving of the food Your goal is to have the foods you eat each Your goal is to have the foods you eat each

day to add up to 100%.day to add up to 100%. Based on dietary goals recommended for Based on dietary goals recommended for

most adult and children over age 4.most adult and children over age 4.

What is not required to have a food What is not required to have a food label?label?

Fresh fruits and vegetablesFresh fruits and vegetables Food served in restaurantsFood served in restaurants Fresh meatsFresh meats Foods in very small packagesFoods in very small packages Foods sold by vendorsFoods sold by vendors Bakery and deli productsBakery and deli products Coffee or teaCoffee or tea

Decoding Food LabelsDecoding Food Labels

Other information can be found on food Other information can be found on food labels. labels.

Some of this information can be found on Some of this information can be found on the nutrition facts panel or elsewhere on the nutrition facts panel or elsewhere on the packagethe package

This information can include a listing of This information can include a listing of ingredients, food additives, and other ingredients, food additives, and other important factsimportant facts

Decoding Food LabelsDecoding Food Labels Ingredients listingIngredients listing

Needed by almost all foodsNeeded by almost all foods Ingredients are what make up the particular food.Ingredients are what make up the particular food. Listed by weight, with the most abundant ingredient Listed by weight, with the most abundant ingredient

listed firstlisted first Check the datesCheck the dates

““Sell By”-last date by which the product should be Sell By”-last date by which the product should be sold (it can be stored past this date)sold (it can be stored past this date)

““Best If Used By”-the date by which the product Best If Used By”-the date by which the product should be used to ensure qualityshould be used to ensure quality

““Expiration Date”-the date after which the product Expiration Date”-the date after which the product should not be used.should not be used.


Low fat-must have 3 grams of fat or less Low fat-must have 3 grams of fat or less per servingper serving

Lean-must have less than 10 grams of fat, Lean-must have less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, and no more 4.5 grams of saturated fat, and no more than 95 mg of cholesterol per servingthan 95 mg of cholesterol per serving

Light-must have one-third the calories or Light-must have one-third the calories or no more than half the fat or sodium of the no more than half the fat or sodium of the regular versionregular version


________ free-must adhere to the ________ free-must adhere to the guideline that the product has no amount guideline that the product has no amount or only a negligible amount of whatever it or only a negligible amount of whatever it is claiming.is claiming.

Fresh-must be raw, unprocessed, contain Fresh-must be raw, unprocessed, contain no preservatives, or never have been no preservatives, or never have been frozen or heatedfrozen or heated


Low calorie-must have 40 calories or less Low calorie-must have 40 calories or less per servingper serving

Reduced-must have 25% less of a nutrient Reduced-must have 25% less of a nutrient or of calories than the regular productor of calories than the regular product

Good source-one serving contains 10-19% Good source-one serving contains 10-19% of the daily value for a particular nutrientof the daily value for a particular nutrient

Low sodium-must have 140 grams or less Low sodium-must have 140 grams or less per servingper serving


Healthy-must be low in fat, low in Healthy-must be low in fat, low in saturated fat, and no more than 60 mg of saturated fat, and no more than 60 mg of cholesterol per servingcholesterol per serving

Fat free-must have less than .5 grams of Fat free-must have less than .5 grams of fat per servingfat per serving

High-must supply at least 20% of the High-must supply at least 20% of the percent daily value of a particular nutrient percent daily value of a particular nutrient per servingper serving


Food additives-substances intentionally Food additives-substances intentionally added to food.added to food. May add texture, nutrients, flavor, or colorMay add texture, nutrients, flavor, or color They may prevent spoilage or help foods age They may prevent spoilage or help foods age

quicklyquickly May also improve taste and appearanceMay also improve taste and appearance

Enriched vs FortifiedEnriched vs Fortified

Enriched-a food in which nutrients were Enriched-a food in which nutrients were lost during processing and the nutrients lost during processing and the nutrients were added back into the foodwere added back into the food

Fortified-a food in which nutrients not Fortified-a food in which nutrients not usually found in the food are added.usually found in the food are added. Ex. Some orange juice products are fortified Ex. Some orange juice products are fortified

with calciumwith calcium

Food Label ActivityFood Label Activity Objective: Nutritionally compare 2 similar foods using the internetObjective: Nutritionally compare 2 similar foods using the internet Directions:Directions:

Go to Go to http://www.nutri-facts.com/index.php Search for a category of food-examples would be cereal, chips, Search for a category of food-examples would be cereal, chips,

pretzels, crackers, etc.pretzels, crackers, etc. Select a food from your chosen category and copy the nutritional Select a food from your chosen category and copy the nutritional

information onto your food label worksheet.information onto your food label worksheet. Select another food from the same category and copy the Select another food from the same category and copy the

nutritional information onto the other food label.nutritional information onto the other food label. Compare the two foods nutritionally (similarities and differences).Compare the two foods nutritionally (similarities and differences). Turn assignment in to me when you’re finished. If you don’t Turn assignment in to me when you’re finished. If you don’t

finish before the end of the period, it will be homework.finish before the end of the period, it will be homework.

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Food Labels A closer look at the food we eat. What is a food label? A panel of nutrition information required on all processed foods regulated by the