7-2-1 Understanding Food Labels Explained

Key Concepts

1. Nutrition Facts Panel
2. Ingredient List
3. Serving Size
4. Daily Values
5. Health Claims
6. Front-of-Package Labels
7. Allergen Information

1. Nutrition Facts Panel

The Nutrition Facts Panel provides detailed information about the nutritional content of a food product. It includes information on calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Example: A Nutrition Facts Panel might show that a serving of cereal contains 120 calories, 2 grams of fat, 25 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of protein.

2. Ingredient List

The Ingredient List outlines all the components that make up the food product. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, with the most prominent ingredient listed first.

Example: A list of ingredients for a granola bar might include oats, honey, almonds, and chocolate chips, with oats being the most prominent ingredient.

3. Serving Size

Serving Size indicates the amount of food that is considered one serving and is used as the basis for the nutritional information provided on the label.

Example: A serving size for a bag of chips might be 1 ounce, which is approximately 15 chips.

4. Daily Values

Daily Values (DV) are reference numbers that help consumers understand the nutritional content of a food product in the context of a total daily diet. They are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Example: If a label indicates that a product contains 10% of the DV for calcium, it means that one serving provides 10% of the recommended daily intake of calcium.

5. Health Claims

Health Claims are statements on food labels that describe the relationship between a nutrient or food and a disease or health-related condition. These claims must be approved by regulatory agencies.

Example: A product might claim to be "low sodium" or "heart healthy," indicating that it meets specific criteria set by health authorities.

6. Front-of-Package Labels

Front-of-Package Labels are designed to provide quick, easy-to-understand information about the nutritional quality of a food product. Common examples include the Nutri-Score and the Traffic Light system.

Example: A product with a green traffic light for fat, salt, and sugar indicates that it is low in these nutrients, making it a healthier choice.

7. Allergen Information

Allergen Information identifies ingredients in a food product that are known to cause allergic reactions. Common allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts, and soy.

Example: A label might state "Contains: Milk, Eggs, Peanuts" to alert consumers with allergies to these ingredients.

Examples and Analogies

To better understand these concepts, consider the following examples:

• Nutrition Facts Panel as a Report Card: Think of the Nutrition Facts Panel as a report card for a food product. It provides a detailed breakdown of its nutritional performance.
• Ingredient List as a Recipe: Imagine the Ingredient List as a recipe. Just as a recipe lists all the ingredients needed to make a dish, the ingredient list details all the components of a food product.
• Serving Size as a Portion: Consider Serving Size as a portion of food. Just as a portion controls how much you eat, the serving size determines the basis for nutritional information.
• Daily Values as a Budget: Think of Daily Values as a budget for nutrients. Just as a budget helps manage finances, DVs help manage nutrient intake.
• Health Claims as Endorsements: Consider Health Claims as endorsements from health authorities. Just as endorsements add credibility, health claims indicate that a product meets specific health criteria.
• Front-of-Package Labels as a Summary: Imagine Front-of-Package Labels as a summary of a book. Just as a summary provides key points, these labels give quick nutritional information.
• Allergen Information as a Warning: Think of Allergen Information as a warning sign. Just as a warning sign alerts you to danger, allergen information alerts you to potential allergens.