1. Food & Supplement Labels
Food Labels
List of Ingredients
Nutrition Facts Panel
Claims
Supplement Regulations & Claims
DSHEA
Food Certifications
Organic & Fair Trade
Nutrition 10

2. List of Ingredients Listed in descending order, by weight
Trans Fat: Check for “partially hydrogenated oil” or “hydrogenated oil” on ingredient list
Can be labeled “No Trans fat” if <0.5 grams of trans fat per serving
Nutrition 10

3. Nutrition Facts Panel Serving Size
How many servings do you eat?
The % DV indicates the amount that ONE SERVING contributes
Standard 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 10

4. Nutrition Facts Panel % Daily Value (DV)
Quick understanding of nutrients
<5% of DV is low
>20% of DV is high
% DV required for 4 vitamins & minerals:
Vitamin A & C
Calcium & Iron
Nutrition 10

5. % Fat Claim on Label

6. % Fat Claim on Label 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

7. 37% of the calories come from fat
Nutrition Facts
% Fat from Calories
Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 122
Total Fat 5 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
5 x 9 = 45 calories from fat
45 ÷ 122 calories = x 100 = 37%
37% of the calories come from fat

8. 2% Milk Nutrition Facts % Fat from Calories Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 122
Total Fat 5 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
5 x 9 = 45 calories from fat
45 ÷ 122 calories =
0.37 x 100 = 37%
37% of the calories
come from fat

9. Claims on Labels “Natural” “No added hormones” on poultry label
FDA – no standard definition
“No added hormones” on poultry label
Hormones not given to poultry since 1950’s
Look for “NO ANTIBIOTICS”
“Cage free”
Chickens are raised in cage free barns (as seen in Food Inc.), most raised in enclosed buildings. Look for “Free-Range”
Organic chickens and eggs are NOT caged. Birds must have access to outside with shade & shelter. No antibiotics allowed.
Nutrition 10

10. Supplement Regulations & Claims

11. Write number(s) on your notecard
Challenge Statement:
Which statement(s) do you agree with?
Write number(s) on your notecard
Supplements are regulated by the FDA.
Supplements are tested for effectiveness prior to marketing the product
Supplements do not have to prove they are safe.

12. 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

13. DSHEA - Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act
A legislative act passed in 1994.
Broadened the regulatory definition of dietary supplements
Altered the FDA oversight of supplement products.

14. 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”, “boosts metabolism”
Claims NOT reviewed by FDA. Based on companies interpretation of scientific studies.
Must include disclaimer

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

16. 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.

17. Organic & Fair Trade Certifications

18. USDA Organic Standards:
Plants:
Grown in soils NOT treated with conventional agrichemicals for 3 years
Grown with seeds that are not genetically engineered
Animals:
Given organic feed.
Raised WITHOUT antibiotics
Can NOT be raised in “factory-like” confinement conditions.
Must have access to outdoors.
Nutrition 10

19. Organic Certification
Contains ONLY organic ingredients excluding water and salt
“Organic”
USDA/Organic seal identifies products with at least 95% organic ingredients.
“Made with organic ingredients”
Contains at least 70% organic ingredients.
CAN NOT use USDA Organic seal
Nutrition 10

20. Fair Trade Certification
An international movement committed to farmers receiving a fair price (living wage) for the production of their 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.
Nutrition 10

21. 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
Nutrition 10

22. Fair Trade Certification
Fair Trade USA
Non-profit organization in Oakland
Leading certifier of Fair Trade products in U.S.
Products meet the Fair Trade principles & display the Fair Trade label (above)
Certified products include:
Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, fruit, cotton (apparel)
Other Fair Trade Label – Max Havalar
Nutrition 10