1©2002 learning zone express louanne kaupa, rd, ln

©2002 Learning Zone Express 2

Introduction

As a consumer you can learn a lot from the nutritional labels placed on food items. Labels help a consumer learn more about the ingredients in a product, the nutritional value, and how to fit the food into a healthy diet.


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.


History of Food Labels

Food labels were first developed when nutrient deficiencies were common.

In 1993, nutrition information on the label changed to reflect the increasing public health concern over dietary excesses.


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.


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.

• Tens of thousands of public comments have been used in helping write the food label rules.

• Anyone can petition for a change in rules but the final decision is left up to legislation.


Food labels are standardized to make them easy for the consumer to understand and to make food comparison easier.

Current Food Label Requirements



The current requirements include:

• Nutrition information that is shown a universal form.

• Any health claim must be supported by scientific evidence and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).



• Serving sizes are standard or represent a usual serving.

• Percent of Daily Values reflect how one serving of the food fits into a 2000 calorie per day reference diet.



• The ingredient list names the ingredients in order by the most weight to the least amount of weight.

• An address or phone number of the manufacturer/distributor must be on the label.


Some foods or food products are not required to have a “Nutrition Facts” label.

Exceptions to the Rules


Exceptions to the Rules

Some of the current exceptions include:

• Plain coffee and tea.

• Spices, flavorings, and foods with no significant source of any nutrient.

• Foods that are packaged in “sample” sizes not reflecting a “usual” serving.

• Ready-to-eat foods prepared on site.

• Fruits, vegetables, and fish.


Serving size of the food in both a

household measuring unit and its metric

equivalent.

The ‘Nutrition Facts’

The number of servings in the

container.

The total Calories in each serving and the

total calories from fat.

Nutrition information is listed

as amount of “% Daily Value” it represents per

serving.

Nutrition information that must be listed on the “Nutrition Facts” panel includes:


The Percent Daily Values

“% Daily Values” are used to show (1) serving of food fits into a 2000 calorie reference diet.


The nutrition information that must be listed on the “Nutrition Facts panel include:

• Total fat• Saturated fat• Cholesterol• Sodium• Total Carbohydrate• Dietary Fiber• Sugar• Protein• Vitamin A• Vitamin C• Calcium• Iron


Terms Used On Food Labels

Diet - A food that is either a low calorie or reduced calorie food.

Low Calorie - Contains no more than 40 calories per serving.

Reduced Calorie - Contains 25 percent fewer calories per serving than a “regular” product.

Fat Free – ½ g or less of fat per serving.



Low Fat - 3 g or less of fat per serving.

Calorie-Free - Contains less than 5 Calories per serving.

Sugar-Free - Contains less than half a gram of sugar per serving.



Excellent Source - Provides at least 20% of the Daily Value per serving.

Good Source - Provides 10-19% of the Daily Value per serving.

Healthy - Allowed only on food items which are low in fat, saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium. Is usually used with an approved health claim and then only as “part of a healthy diet”.


Light -

• A serving provides 1/3 fewer calories or half the fat of a “regular” product.

• A serving of a low calorie, low fat food provides half the sodium normally present.

• The product is light in color or texture and the label describes this.



Reduced - Contains 25% less of a nutrient or calories than a “regular” product.

Low Sodium - 140 mg. or less of sodium per serving.

Very Low Sodium - 35 mg. or less sodium per serving.

Lean - Not more than: 10 g Fat, 4.5 g Saturated fat, and 95 mg. cholesterol or less per serving.

Extra Lean - Not more than: 5 g of fat, 2 g Saturated fat, or 95 mg. cholesterol per serving.


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. The guidelines were created based on scientific evidence.

The following are health claims which currently have been proven and can be listed on FDA approved food products.


Health Claims

Calcium linked to Osteoporosis. Product must be high in calcium.

Sodium linked with high blood pressure. Foods must be low in sodium.

Dietary fat linked with certain cancers. Foods must be low fat.

Dietary saturated fat and cholesterol linked with coronary heat disease. Foods must be low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol.

Fiber linked to certain cancers. Foods must be low fat and a good source of natural dietary fiber.

Fruits and vegetables linked with certain cancers. Foods must be low fat and an excellent source of natural fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C.


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.

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. For example, chips may be compared to pretzels.

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.


Main Dishes

Many consumers today are purchasing entire meal entrees. Consumers want to know how these meals fit into the daily nutritional values.

The FDA defines a “main dish” as weighing at least 10 ounces and with at least 3 different foods from at least 2 of the 4 main food groups.

Food label claims on “main dishes” are subject to the same rules and regulations as individual foods.

The food label should also list the total nutrients in an entire packaged item that’s meant for a single use.


The Dietary Guidelines for Americans were developed by the USDA and US Department of Health and Human Services.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans


A

Aim for fitness


Aim for a healthy weight.

Be physically active each day.


B

Build a healthy base


Let the Pyramid guide your food choices.

Eat a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains.

Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.

Keep foods safe to eat.


C

Choose sensibly


Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat.

Choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake of sugars.

Choose and prepare foods with less salt.

If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.


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. Discuss your responses in small groups and then create a role play to present to your class on what your group would do in this situation.


Applying What You Know

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 and 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.

Pick one of the following assignments to be completed outside of class.


Quiz1. Food label regulations are developed by the:

a) FDAb) Food Safety and Inspection Servicec) United Supermarket Associationd) 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 .5 gm or less of fat per serving?

a) Low Fatb) Lightc) Reduced Fatd) Fat Free

Choose the best answer for the following questions.


Quiz4. Which of the following items must be included on a food label?

a) Nutrition Factsb) Total number of servingsc)Total Calories from fatd) 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”


Exploring the Web

Here are some suggested sites you and your class may want to investigate for more information on nutrients.

• http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/label.html– FDA Food Labeling Web Site

• http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/food_labels.html– Facts and information on understanding food labels

• http://www.sugar.org/health/labeliq.html– Test your food label IQ

Teachers: Please note that these addresses areconstantly changing and being updated. You may need to revise this list.

1©2002 learning zone express louanne kaupa, rd, ln

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