
How to Read Food Labels
Reading Food Labels
Food labeling has come of age. The first comprehensive legislation
against deceptive food labeling was
introduced more than 40 years ago. Since then, improvements have been made to help consumers make wise food choices.
Present Regulations
Common Food Labels
Ingredients must be listed in descending order
according to weight. Therefore, beware if salt or sugar is listed first!
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Nutritional Claims
What's in a Name? Low fat: for dairy products, they must contain between 0.5% and 2% fat. For meats to be labeled low fat, they must contain no more than 10% fat. No cholesterol: Many foods have this on their label as if to suggest that the cholesterol was removed from the food, for example vegetable oils. Remember, only foods that contain animal products of any kind contain cholesterol. Foods from vegetable sources never do unless they are mixed with animal products like eggs, cheese, or meats. Sugar Free: Refers only to a lack of sucrose. Other sweeteners like honey, molasses, fructose, corn syrup contain calories from carbohydrates.
% Daily Values
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