Nutrition Facts Label

Presented by Janice Hermann, PhD, RD/LD

OCES Adult and Older Adult Nutrition Specialist

Nutrition Facts Label

The Nutrition Facts Label tells you about the nutrients in a food product.

The Nutrition Facts Label along with the USDA Daily Food Plan and Dietary Guidelines are tools to help you choose a healthy diet.

Ingredient List

All foods must list all ingredients on the label in descending order or predominance by weight.

Serving SizeThe nutrition information on the Nutrition

Facts Label is for 1 serving.The Nutrition Facts Label tells you the

serving size and the number of servings per container.

It is important to consider how the serving size compare with the actual amount eaten.

Nutrition Facts

Total caloriesCalories from fatTotal fatSaturated fatTrans fatCholesterolSodium

Total carbohydrateDietary fiberSugarsProteinVitamin AVitamin CIronCalcium

% Daily ValuesNutrient amounts per serving are reported

as % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet for:

Total Fat Total Carbohydrate Vitamin A Saturated Fat Dietary Fiber Vitamin C Cholesterol Sugar Calcium Sodium Protein IronSome provide % Daily Values for both a

2,000 and 2,500 calorie diet.

Daily Values

If the amount of a nutrient provided by a serving of food is less than 10% of the Daily Value, the product can state 0% or “not a significant source.”

≤ 5% Daily Value – low nutrient source10-19% Daily Value – good nutrient source≥ 20% Daily Value – excellent nutrient source

Nutrient Content ClaimsA word or phrase used on a label to

describe the level of a nutrient in a serving of food.

Foods must meet definitions set by FDA.

General Nutrient Content Terms

Healthy FreeGood source ofHigh

LessLight or LiteLowMoreOrganic

Nutrient Content ClaimsFDA has nutrient content claim definitions

for:CaloriesFat and CholesterolSugarFiber Sodium

Health ClaimsA health claim is a label statement that

describes the relationship between a nutrient and a disease or health-related condition.

Health claims require manufactures must collect scientific evidence and petition FDA for approval

Before health claims are approved FDA examines enough scientific evidence to establish a clear link between diet and health.

Health Claims

A health claim can be a written statement, a third-party reference, a symbol, or a description.

A food has to meet a set strict requirements set by the government in order to make a health claim.

FDA Approved Health ClaimsCalcium and osteoporosisSodium and hypertensionDietary saturated fat and cholesterol and risk

of coronary heart diseaseDietary fat and cancerFiber and cancer

FDA Approved Health ClaimsFruits, vegetables and grain products that

contain fiber and heart diseaseFruits and vegetables and cancerFolate and neural tube defectsSugar alcohols and tooth decaySoluble fiber from whole oats and psyllium

and heart disease

FDA Approved Health ClaimsSoy protein and heart diseaseWhole grains and heart disease and certain

cancersPlant sterol and plant stanol esters and heart

diseasePotassium and hypertension and stroke

Different Types of ClaimsFDA approved health claims still appear on

food labels, but finding them is more difficult now that other categories of claims are allowed based on less conclusive evidence such as structure-function claims.

Even with required disclaimers for health and grading claims as “A,” “B,” “C,” or “D,” distinguishing “A” claims from others is difficult.

Structure-Function ClaimsStructure-function claims are statements that

characterize the relationship between a nutrient or substance in a food an its role in the body

Unlike health claims where manufactures must collect scientific evidence and petition FDA for approval, structure-function claims can be made without FDA approval.

The only criterion for a structure-function claim is it must not mention a disease or symptom.

Structure-Function ClaimsStructure-function claims can be quite similar

to “A” list health claims. Compare the following:“May reduce the risk of heart disease”“Promotes a healthy heart”

1st FDA list approved health claim2nd unapproved structure-function claim

Example Structure-Function Claims

Builds strong bonesDefends your

healthPromotes

relaxationSlows agingImproves memory

Guards against coldsBoosts the immune

systemLifts your spiritsSupports your health