Food & Supplement Labels

List of Ingredients

Nutrition Facts Panel

Claims% FatNutrient Claims Other Claims

Supplement RegulationsDSHEAUSP verification

CertificationsOrganic & Fair Trade

List of Ingredients

Listed in descending order, by weight

To choose Whole Wheat Bread:Look for whole wheat (grain) as first ingredient.If “wheat” is first ingredient, not whole grain

Product can be labeled “No Transfat” if it has <0.5 grams of transfat per serving

Check for “partially hydrogenated oil” in ingredients

Nutrition Facts

Serving SizeHow many servings do you eat? The % DV indicates the amount that ONE SERVING contributesStandard servings sizes for each type of food

The Daily Value is scientifically agreed upon daily intake of nutrients.

Based on 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Facts

% Daily Value (DV)Helpful to increase or limit nutrients

<5% of DV is low>20% of DV is high

Required to provide % DV for 4 vitamins & minerals:

Vitamin A & C, Calcium & Iron

If label claims “Good source of…” or “fortified”, must provide % DV for that specific nutrient.

% Fat

Refers to % fat by weight NOT calories

To find % fat by calories use this formula:

(total fat grams) x (9 cal/gram) ÷ (total calories) x 100 = % fat

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 cup Calories 122 Total Fat 5 g

Saturated Fat 3 g

% Fat from Calories

5 x 9 = 4545 ÷ 122 = 0.3688 0.37 x 100 = 37%

37% of the calories come from fat

2% Milk

Nutrient Claims

Light: 50% less fat than the regular brand 1/3 fewer calories than the regular brand Texture or color “light brown sugar” or “light olive oil”

Reduced: 25% less nutrient or calories than regular brand

Good Source: If food contains 10-19% Daily Value for specific nutrient, example: “good source of Vitamin C”.

High/Excellent: If a food contains 20% Daily Value for specific nutrient, example: “high fiber”.

Other Claims

“Natural”FDA – no standard definition

“No added hormones” on poultry labelHormones not given to poultry since 1950’sLook for “NO ANTIBIOTICS”

“Cage free”All broiler chickens are raised in cage free barns, most raised in enclosed buildings. Look for “free-range”Look for “cage free” or “free-range” when buying eggs. Laying hens are raised in cramped wire cages. ALL “Organic” chickens and eggs are free range. Birds must have access to outside with shade & shelter. No antibiotics allowed.

Dietary Supplements

Do not have to prove they are safe

Do not have to prove they are effective

Product label may not contain all the ingredients in declared amounts

Product may contain ingredients not listed

DSHEA - Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act

A legislative act passed in 1994.

Broadened the regulatory definition of dietary supplements

Altered the federal government’s oversight of supplement products.

DSHEA Requirements

Safety: Supplement company not required to test product for safety

FDA can only step in if product proven to cause harm

Effectiveness: Supplement company does not have to prove product does what it claims.

Claims: “energy enhancer”, “builds muscle”, “boosts immune system”

Not reviewed by FDA. Based on companies interpretation of scientific studies.

Must include disclaimer

Disclaimer Statement

“This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose treat, cure or prevent any disease”.

DSHEA Label Requirement

Label must include Facts Panel & list of ingredients

Appearance very similar to Nutrition Facts on food

Food regulated by FDA; supplements are not

May contain ingredients not on label, omit ingredients stated on label.

Challenge Question

Which statement do you agree with?

1. Supplements are regulated by the FDA.

2. Supplements are tested for effectiveness prior to marketing the product

3. Supplements do not have to prove they are safe.

USP Verification

Indicates:Contains amounts & potency of ingredients on the label Does not contain harmful contaminantsEasily released into body

LABEL DOES NOT MEAN:

• The product is effective• The product is safe

Supplement Verification

USDA Organic Standards:

Plants:Grown in soils not treated with conventional pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides for at least 3 yearsProduced without genetically engineered seeds

Animals:Given organic feed. Raised WITHOUT antibioticsCan NOT be raised in “factory-like” confinement conditions. Must have access to outdoors.

Organic Certification

“100% Organic”Contains ONLY organic ingredients excluding water and salt

“Organic”USDA/Organic seal identifies products with at least 95% organic ingredients.

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“Made with organic ingredients” Contains at least 70% organic ingredients Not allowed to use USDA Organic seal

Fair Trade Certification

An international movement committed to farmers receiving a fair price for their production of food products

Benefits go directly to farmers and their communities.

Over 1 million farmers in 58 developing countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America are Fair Trade Certified.

Fair Trade Principles:

Fair Prices: Farm co-ops receive a guaranteed minimum floor price

Fair Working Conditions: Workers have safe working conditions. Forced child labor is prohibited

Direct Trade: Importers purchase from Fair Trade co-ops directly

Democratic Decisions: Co-op members decide democratically how to use their fair trade revenues. They invest in business development, equipment, training and organic certification

Environmentally Sustainable: Farming system protects the farmer’s health and preserves the environment for future generations. Genetically engineered seeds are prohibited

Fair Trade USA

A non-profit organization located in Oakland

www.transfairusa.org

Leading certifier of Fair Trade products in U.S.

Products meet the standards & display the Fair Trade label

Certified products include:Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugarSome fresh fruit, wine, flowers & cotton (apparel)

Fairtrade Video

In 2011, Transfair changed it’s name to Fairtrade USA.

In video they mention Transfair.

Fairtrade USA & Transfair are same organization.