Decoding the Food Label
Reading food labels helps you learn about food products, their ingredients, and their nutritional values, and is a key skill in choosing healthy foods. The standards for food labels in the United States fall under the direction of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). Stay abreast of changes to food label information and legislation by checking out CFSAN’s website on food labeling and nutrition at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/lab-gen.html.
The information found on food packaging falls into four main categories:
- Nutrition Facts panel
- Ingredient list
- Health claims
- Nutrient content claims
We’ll cover each category of information in detail. You might find it helpful to choose one or two key areas to examine on food labels each week, as opposed to trying to remember all of it the next time you hit the aisles. Take your time and remember that all foods can fit into a healthy diet!
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