Food Packaging and Safety

Nutrition Labels Nutrition labels on food products contain information that can help you choose healthy foods. On a sheet of paper make a list of the types of information that can assist you in making healthy food choices.

Nutrition Labels The law requires these information panels be placed on foods They include information about: Serving Size Calories and Calories from Fat Nutrient Information Advice about the amounts of certain nutrients that should be eaten daily

Ingredients Listed by weight in descending order Some items may be broken up and listed separately Sugars vs. Corn Syrup, Sugar and Honey Food Additives – substances added to produce a desired effect Enhance foods color, flavor or lengthen storage life

Number of servings, information about nutrients, list of ingredients What do the labels that the law requires be put on food packages intended for sale tell us about the food? Number of servings, information about nutrients, list of ingredients

Substitutes Purpose is to limit excess calories in foods Sugar: Fructose – sweeter than sugar, so less is needed Others are calorie-free Fat: Most pass through the body unabsorbed

Product Labeling Foods have other labels on them in addition to nutrition labels May state health benefits Fat Free Include information on how a product is produced Organic

Fill in the blanks with your best guess: If a product is labeled… “Light” its calories have been reduced by at least _______ percent “Less” it contains _______ percent less of calories than a comparable food “Free” it contains _______ percent total fat “More” it contains _______ percent more of the Daily Value for a vitamin “High” it contains _______ percent or more of the Daily Value for protein “Excellent Source Of” it contains at least _______ percent of the Daily Value of fiber

Nutrient Content Claims Light or Lite – Calories have been reduced by 1/3 or fat or sodium have been reduced by at least 50% Less – Food contains 25% less of a nutrient or calories of a comparable food Free – contains no amount of total fat, saturated fat, sodium, cholesterol, sugars or calories

More – 10% more of the daily value for a vitamin, mineral, protein or fiber High, Rich In, or Excellent Source Of – 20% more Lean – has less than 10 grams of fat, less than 4 grams of saturated fat and less than 95 mg of cholesterol

Open Dating Expiration Date – the last date you should use a product Freshness Date – the last date the food is considered to be fresh Pack Date – the date the food was packaged Sell-by Date – the last day a product should be sold You can store and use a product after this date

Food Allergy A condition in which the body’s immune system reacts to substances in some foods Common Allergies: – Nuts – Eggs – Fish – Wheat – Soy – Shellfish Reactions: Rash, Hives, Itchiness of the Skin Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain Itchy eyes and sneezing

Food Intolerance A negative reaction to a food caused by a metabolic problem Usually caused by an inability to digest certain foods Some intolerances are hereditary Common Intolerances: Milk Wheat Food additives

What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance? A food allergy is a negative reaction of the immune system; A food intolerance is a negative reaction to a food caused by a metabolic problem

Food borne Illness – Food Poisoning Causes: Food may become contaminated with pathogens spread by an infected person Animals may have disease causing organisms in their tissues Symptoms: – Nausea – Vomiting – Diarrhea – Fever

Steps to Minimize Risks Clean Clean hands, surfaces and utensils Wash fruits and vegetables, not meats and poultry Separate Keep raw, cooked and ready to eat foods apart Cook Cook all meat and fish thoroughly Avoid raw eggs Chill Proper food storage in fridge or freezer Store prepared foods within 2 hours

Nutrition Labels In a paragraph explain ways the information on food labels can help you choose nutritious snacks and foods. Think about the nutrition facts panel, ingredient lists, nutrient content claims and dates.