A LITTLE ADVICE ABOUT FOOD LABELS

We have laws that require food manufacturers to follow rules when making claims on food products.  But do you know what the statements really mean?  Here is a list of some of the common ones and what is required for a product to meet that standard:

• Fat-free - less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving with no added fat or oil
• Low-fat - 3 grams or less of fat per serving
• Calorie-free - less than 5 calories per serving
• Low-calorie - 40 calories or less per serving
• Sugar-free - Less than 0.5 grams of sugar (any type) per serving

Now here is the trick they use on us who try to eat healthy.  While a product may follow the standards for the chosen label, say fat-free, it is often too high in another area.  For instance a product can carry the sugar-free label and still be very high in fat or vice versa.  One product is often used to make up for the lack of the stated ingredient so the product will still have "taste appeal".