The Label Says! Or Is What I See, What I Get? “A Journey in Taste” Presentation with Paul Higgins, CEC,HGT

Natural Reduced Calories Low in Fat Sugar Free Heart Healthy Taste Fresh Homemade Original Full of Vitamins Has Real Flavor Organic 100% More Fiber Good for You Genuine Extra light Pure Home style

When we go to the market, the packaging display gets our attention; we turn the package over, satisfy our dietary requirements and put the package in our cart.

Food and Drug Administration definitions for frequently used terms. (per serving) Low fat 3 grams fat or less Fat-free Less than 1/2 gram fat Low sodium Less than 140 milligrams sodium Low calorie Less than 40 calories Calorie free Less than 5 calories Low cholesterol Less than 20 milligrams cholesterol and 2 grams saturated fat

What about the front label? What is it REALLY saying?

1000’s of pages of: Government Guidelines Regulations Requirements Specific Instructions Permits Licensing

“All Natural” is the most common claim made on new food products. The FDA and USDA have vague rules about this phrase Manufacturers that incorrectly use “All Natural” remain in the marketplace

We assume "Natural foods" are free of Processing Hormones Antibiotics Artificial sweeteners food colors flavorings BUT, these terms are often misused on labels and in advertisements. What is a Natural Food?

Almost all foodstuffs are derived from natural products - plants and animals Almost all foods are processed in some way, either mechanically, chemically, or by temperature It is difficult to define which types of food processing is natural. What is a Natural Food?

Many “All Natural” products containing high- fructose corn syrup (made through complex chemical industrial processes) The USDA also allows meat and poultry products injected with beef or chicken broth claim to be “All Natural” What is a Natural Food?

The most notorious offenders are statements like “helps maintain a healthy heart” or “supports the immune system.” These unscientific and deceptive statements are not FDA approved and mislead consumers.

Studies show that consumers can’t distinguish between unregulated statements and regulated FDA verified health claims like “may help reduce the risk of heart disease” or “may reduce the risk of cancer.”

For example, Hunt’s Tomato Sauce claims to be “100% Natural,” but: Citric acid is added It is made of reconstituted tomato paste instead of whole tomatoes

Is this your grandma’s ingredient list?: Chicken Broth, Carrots, Cooked White Meat Chicken Meat, Celery, Enriched Egg Noodles (Durum Flour, Egg, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid). Contains Less than 2% of: Chicken Fat, Egg White, Onion Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Soy Protein Isolate, Sodium Phosphate, Dried Onion, Ascorbic Acid), Sugar, Garlic Powder, Corn Starch, Sunflower Oil, Chives (Dried), Citric Acid, Carrots (Dried), Celery (Dried), Parsley (Dried), Ascorbyl Palmitate (Preservative), Tocopherol (Preservative), Natural Flavor, Beta Carotene (Color). Who’s Tradition is Progresso’s?

Organic does not insure freshness or quality Products must meet specific guidelines in regards to growing and handling only

Healthy Life Soft Style 100% Whole Grain Bread Heart Healthy Good Source of Fiber Low Fat 0g Trans Fat No Cholesterol No Saturated Fat No Artificial Preservatives No High Fructose Corn Syrup 28 Grams Whole Grain per Serving 2 Slices Equals 1 Serving of Whole Grain Food

Many products boast of their fiber content without saying where the fiber is coming from. Traditional sources of intact fibers are associated with lowering blood cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as helping with regularity.

Many products like Ice creams, Yogurts and Juices have fiber BUT: They have isolated fibers, such as purified powders that do not have the same health benefits of traditional intact fibers.

Some food manufacturers take advantage of consumers’ desire to eat more fruits and vegetables Many fruit snacks display images of fruits that aren’t found anywhere in the ingredients

Kool-Aid was invented by Edwin Perkins in Perkins sold a liquid concentrate called Fruit Smack To reduce shipping costs, he discovered a way to remove the liquid from Fruit Smack, leaving only a powder. This powder was named Kool-Aid.

Ingredients: SUGAR, GELATIN, ADIPIC ACID*, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR ( no nutrition) DISODIUM PHOSPHATE** AND SODIUM CITRATE (CONTROL ACIDITY), FUMARIC ACID (FOR TARTNESS), RED 40, BLUE 1. **Disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na 2 HPO 4 ) is a sodium salt. A white powder that is highly water soluble. *Adipic acid is used as a flavorant to make foods tart and a gelling aid. *Adipic acid, is a mild skin irritant and is mildly toxic.

Betty Crocker’s Strawberry Splash Fruit Gushers Claims to be made of real fruit Contains no strawberries whatsoever Actually made from pear concentrate, red no. 40 dye, and are almost half sugar by weight.

There is no standard for terms like “Low Sugar” or “Fat Free” or “Lightly Sweetened” Companies can reduce fat by adding sugar and reduce sugar by adding fat Example: Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats, despite being “Lightly Sweetened,” contain 20% sugar by weight (12g per serving).

: The USDA recommends people limit their added sugar consumption to 10 tsp (40g) per day about the amount in one 12oz can of Coca-Cola. Unfortunately, added sugars and their daily value are not disclosed on the Nutrition Facts Panel

Genuine? Chocolate flavor? HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP; CORN SYRUP; WATER; COCOA; SUGAR; CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: POTASSIUM SORBATE (PRESERVATIVE); SALT; MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES; XANTHAN GUM; POLYSORBATE 60; VANILLIN, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR

Knorr Sidekicks Chicken Broccoli with fettuccine noodles, actually contain more salt than dried broccoli.

Snyder's of Hanover Eat Smart Veggie Crisps claim to be “A bountiful blend of potato, spinach, and tomato chips” There is more potassium chloride than spinach. Contains virtually none of the vitamins and minerals found in spinach and tomatoes.

You know your doctor You know your dentist Why not know your farmer?

Eat Fresh, Buy Local Support Farmer’s Markets and Roadside Stands