Chapter 4: Understanding Food and Nutrition Labels

Examples of Food Industry-Initiated Nutrition Labeling Systems:

"Nutrition at a Glance," "Smart Choices Made Easy," and "Smart Choices Program"

Precautionary statements, such as ____ or ______ are allowed.

"may contain," and "processed in a facility with"

What is fortification?

Addition of one or more vitamins/minerals to a food product

People may choose organic foods because they have been shown to _____.

be free of GMO ingredients

Dietary supplements are only enzymes or herbs.

false

Labeling systems on food emphasize information to help address obesity.

false

A major proposed change to food labels includes _____.

listing reality-based serving sizes

Organic means?

95% of the ingredients in the food are organic

The _____ organic label is equivalent to the USDA label.

Canadian

What is the COOL Rule and what does it do?

Country-of-origin label Helps track down foodborne illness outbreaks

What is the only claim that does not require FDA approval?

Structure/Function Claims

Ingredient labels now must include the presence of common food ___ in products.

allergens

100% Organic means?

food contains ingredients that are produced entirely organically

Industry-initiated labeling systems are _____.

generally follow science-based criteria

Based on 1 serving as part of 2000 calorie diet: 10-19% =

good source

Based on 1 serving as part of 2000 calorie diet: 20% or more =

high or excellent source

Some organic ingredients means?

less than 70% of the ingredients in the food are organic

Since 2012, some ____ and ____ require posted calorie information in chain restaurants

local and state governments

Dietary supplements are products taken by _____.

mouth

The USDA regulates foods that are labeled as ____?

organic

Nutrition information for single foods may be presented on ____.

posters

The term 'enrichment' means _____.

thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and iron lost when grains are refined has been replaced

If a supplement makes a structure or function claim on their packaging they MUST also put on the label. "This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."

true

The FDA does not define or regulate all terms that may appear on a food package.

true

The FDA does not review structure/function claims before their use on product labels.

true

The Smart Choices Program label is used throughout Europe and the United States.

true

What do you add to fortification?

- Vitamin D - Iodine

When did nutrition labeling come about?

1990: congress passed the nutrition labeling and education act

____: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published nutrition labeling rules

1993

Natural means?

No FDA or USDA definition of standard is associated with this term

Which of the following best describes labeling laws regarding foods sold in a supermarket deli?

Nutrition labeling of single fresh foods, like pears and cabbage, is voluntary.

What is enrichment?

Replacing lost nutrients in processed foods

What does the Nutrition Facts Panel include?

Specific required information: -Serving size -Calorie amount -Nutrient content -Ingredients

What is the legal definition of a "local" food is one that came to the store from which maximum distance?

There is no legal definition of "local" for food labeling purposes.

What do they use on irradiated foods?

X-rays, gamma rays, or electron beams are used to kill insects, bacteria, molds, and other microorganisms in food

Dietary supplements are treated as _____ by the FDA.

a special category of food

The USDA has developed standards for the term 'organic' used on food labeling.

true

What are pros to irradiated foods?

- Enhances shelf life of food products - Decreases the risk of foodborne illness - Does not make food radioactive

What do you add to enrichment?

- Refined grain products - Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, and Iron - Folate

Nutrition Labeling Standards Regulations address what 4 major areas?

- nutrition Facts Panel - nutrient claims - health claims - structure/function claims

What is included in the product information?

-Common Product Name -Name and address of manufacturer or distributor -The net contents in weight, measure, or the count -Approved Health Claims and Nutrient Claims

Made with organic ingredients means what?

70% of the ingredients in the food are organic

Vitamins _____ are required to be listed on the Nutrition Facts panel

A and C

Why do they try to Undefined Claims on Food Labels?

May mislead consumers about the health value of products

Examples of dietary supplements?

Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, Enzymes, Herbs, and Hormones

Of the items listed below, which one IS REQUIRED to have a Nutrition Fact Panel?

a. Avocados b. Beer C. Commercial made cereal d. Foods sold at small, local businesses like bakeries e. Foods sold in really small packages f. Wine

The need to address the obesity epidemic is driving _____.

an emphasis on calorie labeling in chain restaurants

What are food additives?

any substances added to food that becomes part of the food or affects the characteristics of the food - added to enhance flavor/texture/shelf life - several thousand, FDA has to approve

What is unintentional additives?

are not on our products but may be things that are found in them like pieces of plastic (accidents)

What are nutrient claims?

characterize the level of a nutrient in the food---for example "fat free" or "less sodium" - has to be FDA approval required

What are health claims?

characterize the relationship of a food or food component to a disease or health-related condition---for example "soluble fiber from oatmeal daily in a diet low in saturated fat..." - FDA approval required

The primary weakness of food industry-backed labels is they are _____.

confusing to consumers

What is structure/function claims?

describe the effect that a substance has on the structure of function of the body and do not make reference to a disease--for example "supports immunity and digestive health" or "calcium builds strong bones" - does NOT require FDA approval

All foods sold in the United States must have a Nutrition Facts Panel.

false

Changes are being made on Nutrition Fact Panels starting in 2013 that will include Daily Value percentages for every age and gender category.

false

Nutrition labeling regulations change frequently within the United States.

false

Organic foods must not contain any traces of pesticide residue.

false

Single fresh foods, when sold in bulk, must be labeled like all other foods.

false

The FDA allows manufacturers to individually define 'low sugar' and similar terms.

false

The FDA will approve health claims for any type of food that contains a healthy ingredient.

false

The country-of-origin label is required for all food products.

false

The terms "natural," "pure," and "hormone-free" are regulated by the FDA and must meet stringent standards.

false

When a food is labeled as "organic," this means that no pesticides have been used in its production.

false

Based on 1 serving as part of 2000 calorie diet: 5% or less =

low source

The FDA provides specific criteria for the term _____.

low sugar

What are potential food allergens that are present in ingredient label?

milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans

For animal products to be labeled organic, the animals _____.

must be fed 100% organic feed

A dietary supplement may contain a(n) _____.

nutrient claim

What are dietary supplements?

products that supply one or more nutrients as a supplement to, not a substitute for, healthful foods

The Nutrition Facts panel must contain _____.

trans fats

Daily Values are standards of daily intake of nutrients developed specifically for nutrition labels.

true

The posting of calorie information in restaurant menus has had little impact on customer food choices.

true

To date, neither organic nor conventional foods have been shown to have a clear health advantage over the other.

true