Nutrition Facts Labeling Laws

Frightening Food Facts   We have covered cockroach milk and added sugars now let's jump into my soapbox, food labels. Stop getting pulled into the health halo and start looking closely at the nutrition facts labels on the back of food products. Why? Because the front of the container LIES all day long!     "Free" doesn't mean free when it comes to our food. Nutrients per Serving Free Low Reduced/Less Light (Lite) Calories Less than 5 calories 40 calories or less At last 25% fewer calories At least 1/3 fewer calories Fat Less than 0.5 gm fat 3 gm or less fat At least 25% less fat At least 50% less fat Saturated Fat Less than 0.5 gm saturated fat 1 gm or less saturated fat and no more than 15% of calories from saturated fat At least 25% less saturated fat Not used Cholesterol Less than 2 mg cholesterol and 2 gm or less saturated fat 20 mg or less cholesterol and 2 gm or less saturated fat At least 25% less cholesterol and 2 gm or less saturated fat Not used Sodium Less than 5 mg sodium 140 mg or less sodium At least 25% less sodium At least 50% less sodium Sugar Less than 1.2 gm sugars Not a legal claim At least 25% less sugar Not used                                            Photo Source: http://www.pamcookingspray.com/products/original   Sources: https://www.bestfoodfacts.org/deciphering-food-label-clues/ http://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/labelingnutrition/ucm2006860.htm http://www.fda.gov/downloads/food/newsevents/workshopsmeetingsconferences/ucm403517.pdf http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/SimpleCookingwithHeart/Using-Food-Labels-As-A-Shopping-Guide_UCM_430119_Article.jsp#.WBf9MNUrKpo http://www.esha.com/labeling-compliance/nutrition-facts-label-industry-resources/ http://www.crisco.com/products/all-vegetable-shortening-17-315