Questions and Answers
What information can consumers use from food labels to make more nutritious food choices?
The Nutrition Facts panel, which displays information about the serving size, servings per container, and energy and certain nutrient contents of a packaged food product.
Which government agency regulates and monitors information on food labels in the United States?
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
What is required to be listed on food labels, besides the product's name and manufacturer's name and address?
The amount of product in the package and the country of origin (for certain products)
What is the purpose of the ingredients list on a food label?
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What type of claims are allowed on food and dietary supplement labels by the FDA?
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What is the main difference between the Nutrition Facts panel and the ingredients list on a food label?
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Which food products are exempt from having a Nutrition Facts panel?
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What is the primary purpose of food labels?
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In which age group are the three other sets of DVs used on labels of foods?
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What percentage of a person’s total energy intake is recommended to come from carbohydrates?
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What is the recommended daily intake of total fat as a percentage of a person’s total energy intake?
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When evaluating or planning nutritious menus, what is the goal for nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals?
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What are the units used to indicate the amount of nutrients in a serving of food on the Nutrition Facts panel?
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What is the goal for nutrients like total fat, saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium?
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What is the purpose of the serving size on the Nutrition Facts panel?
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What is considered a low source of a nutrient?
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Why do people often underestimate their nutrient intakes?
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What nutrients must food manufacturers provide information about on the Nutrition Facts panel?
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Why do some food suppliers and supermarket chains provide consumers with nutritional information about their products?
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When using a Nutrition Facts panel, why is it important to note the description of a serving size and the number of servings per container?
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What is the purpose of health claims on food labels?
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What is the purpose of the Daily Values (DVs) on food labels?
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What is the basis for the adult Daily Value (DV) for a nutrient?
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What does the FDA allow on food labels?
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Why do restaurants with 20 or more national locations have to display calorie content information?
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What information must restaurants provide to customers upon request?
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What is the difference between 'Total Sugars' and 'Added Sugars' on the Nutrition Facts panel?
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Why is it important to include potassium, calcium, iron, and vitamin D on the Nutrition Facts panel?
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What is the minimum percentage of Daily Value (DV) that a nutrient must provide in a product before the FDA allows a health claim to be made about that nutrient?
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How must health claims on food labels describe the relationship between the product and disease, according to the FDA?
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What is not allowed on a health claim on a food label, according to the FDA?
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What age group is exempt from the FDA's regulation of health claims on food labels?
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What is required to be included in the wording of certain health claims on food labels, according to the FDA?
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Where can consumers find more information about qualified health claims on food labels?
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What is an example of a permissible health claim for food labels, according to the FDA?
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What is the purpose of health claims on food labels, according to the FDA?
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Why would the FDA not allow a health claim about calcium on a fortified orange juice label?
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What is the main goal of the FDA's regulation of health claims on food labels?
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What are the limitations set by the FDA for a food to be eligible for a health claim, in terms of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium per serving?
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Why can't whole milk make a health claim about calcium and osteoporosis, despite being a rich source of calcium?
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What type of fat is considered 'healthy' by the FDA, and how does this impact 'healthy' food claims?
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What is the purpose of a structure/function claim on a food or dietary supplement label?
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What is not permitted in a structure/function claim on a food or dietary supplement label?
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What terms can be used in nutrient content claims on food labels, according to the FDA?
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What does a 'reduced-fat' claim on a food label typically mean, in relation to a reference food?
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According to the FDA, when can a food label claim '0 g' of a nutrient, such as trans fat?
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What is the purpose of the FDA's 'food labeling guide' resource?
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What is the difference between 'sugar free' and 'reduced sugar' claims on food labels, according to the FDA?
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What is the purpose of the FDA disclaimer on dietary supplement labels?
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What is required of dietary supplement manufacturers before marketing their products?
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What must manufacturers do if the FDA questions the safety of a dietary supplement or the truthfulness of claims?
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What type of claims are allowed on dietary supplement labels, and what is required with these claims?
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What must manufacturers notify the FDA about within 30 days of introducing a new product into the marketplace?
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What is the goal of FDA regulations for dietary supplement manufacturers?
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What does the term 'fat free' imply on a food label?
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What is the criterion for a food to be labeled as 'high fiber'?
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What is the difference between 'extra lean' and 'lean' meat and poultry products?
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What does the term 'light' or 'lite' imply on a food label?
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What information must be included on a dietary supplement label?
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What is the purpose of the 'Supplement Facts' panel on a dietary supplement label?
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What type of claims are allowed on dietary supplement labels?
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Why may a 'light' version of a creamy salad dressing have fewer kcal than the regular version?
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What is the difference between 'reduced fat' and 'low fat' on a food label?
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What is the FDA's role in regulating food and dietary supplement labels?
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Study Notes
Nutrition Facts Panel
- The Nutrition Facts panel is a special format used to display information about the energy and nutrient contents of packaged foods.
- It shows the amount of a serving size, servings per container, and energy and nutrient contents of a packaged food product.
- The panel displays information about the food's total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrate, fiber, total sugars, added sugars, protein, vitamin D, potassium, calcium, and iron contents.
- The serving size is a reasonable amount of the food or beverage that a person typically consumes at one time.
- The panel uses grams (g) and milligrams (mg) to indicate amounts of nutrients in a serving of food.
Daily Values (DVs)
- DVs are a set of nutrient standards used for labeling purposes.
- They are based on a standard diet that supplies 2000 kcal/day.
- DVs are used to help consumers evaluate the nutritional content of food products.
- They are sex-, age-, and life stage-specific.
Using Nutrition Facts Panels
- When using nutritional labeling information, consider the description of a serving size and the number of servings per container.
- A common mistake is assuming that the information applies to the entire package, which is not always true.
- Multiply the information concerning calories, fat, and other food components by the number of servings consumed.
Health- and Nutrition-Related Claims
- The FDA permits food manufacturers to include certain health claims on food labels.
- Health claims describe how a food, food ingredient, or dietary supplement may reduce the risk of a nutrition-related condition.
- Claims must be complete, easy to understand, honest, and not misleading.
- Claims must refer to a product that has 10% or more of the DVs for fiber, protein, calcium, iron, potassium, or vitamin D.
Structure/Function Claims
- Structure/function claims describe the role a nutrient or dietary supplement plays in maintaining a structure or promoting a normal function.
- Claims cannot state that a nutrient, food, or dietary supplement can be used to prevent or treat a serious health condition.
Nutrient Content Claims
- The FDA permits manufacturers to include claims on labels that describe levels of nutrients in packaged foods.
- Claims can use terms such as free, high, or low to describe how much of a nutrient is in the product.
- Claims can also use terms such as more or reduced to compare amounts of nutrients in a product to those in a similar product.
Other Labeling Terms
- The term "natural" is being reviewed by the FDA for use on food labels.
- A "light" or "lite" food has at least one-third fewer kilocalories or half the fat of the reference food.### Supplement Facts Label
- A Supplement Facts label is required on dietary supplement products and provides information on serving size, amount per serving, and percentage of Daily Value (%DV) for ingredients.
- %DV is established for nutrients, but not for non-nutrient products like herbal supplements.
Dietary Supplement Labeling
- A dietary supplement label must include the product's ingredient(s), serving size, amount(s) per serving, suggested use, manufacturer and company address, and %DV (if established).
- If a health claim appears on the supplement's label, it must be followed by the FDA disclaimer.
FDA Regulations
- The FDA does not permit manufacturers to market dietary supplements as treatments or cures for diseases.
- Manufacturers can display structure/function claims on labels, such as "Iron is necessary for healthy red blood cell formation."
- If a claim has not been reviewed by the FDA, the label must include the FDA's disclaimer indicating that the claim has not been evaluated by the agency.
Manufacturer Responsibilities
- Manufacturers are responsible for providing evidence that their products are safe and labeling claims are honest and not misleading if questioned by the FDA.
- Manufacturers must notify the FDA about structure/function claims within 30 days of introducing the product to the market.
- Manufacturers must evaluate the purity, quality, strength, and composition of their products before marketing them.
- The FDA requires manufacturers to produce supplements that contain the ingredients listed on the label, are wholesome, contain standard amounts of ingredients per dose, and are properly packaged and accurately labeled.
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Description
Learn about the Nutrition Facts panel and its components, including serving sizes, energy, and nutrient content of packaged foods.