Food Labels
List of Ingredients
Nutrition Facts Panel
Claims
Nutrient Claims
Health Claims
Supplement Claims
Other Claims
Certifications
Organic
Fair Trade
Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
The FDA is responsible for assuring that
foods sold in U.S. are safe, wholesome
and labeled properly
FDA is not responsible for eggs, poultry,
meat, and organic foods which are
monitored by the USDA
List of Ingredients
Listed in descending order, by weight
Check ingredient list for transfat.
Does your food have partially-hydrogenated or
hydrogenated oil in ingredients?
20% of DV is high
Standard Vitamin & Minerals on label
Vitamin A & C, Calcium & Iron
If label claims “Good source of…” or
“fortified”, must provide that specific
nutrient information.
Nutrient Claims
Reduced: 25% less nutrient or calories than regular brand
Light:
50% less fat than the same regular brand
1/3 fewer calories of regular brand
Texture, color “light brown sugar” or “light olive oil”
Good Source: If food contains 10-19% Daily Value for
specific nutrient, ie “good source of Vitamin C”.
High: If a food contains 20% Daily Value for specific
nutrient ie. “high fiber”.
Health Claims
Links food or supplements to reduced risk of a
disease
“Adequate calcium may reduce the risk of
osteoporosis.”
“Foods rich in soy protein as part of a low fat diet
may help reduce the risk of heart disease.”
Authorized by FDA based on significant scientific
findings
Supplement Claims
Supplements can include claims such as:
“supports your immune system”
“burns fat”
“builds muscle”
“supports metabolic balance”
These claims DO NOT need to be approved
Label must include this disclaimer:
“This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure
or prevent any disease”.
Other Claims
“Natural”
FDA – no standard definition
USDA – “meat that is minimally processed and free of additives
such as preservatives, artificial flavors or colors.” Nothing to do
with how animal is fed or raised.
“No added hormones” on poultry label
Hormones not given to poultry since 1950’s
Look for “NO ANTIBIOTICS”
“Cage free”
All broiler chickens are raised in cage free barns
Look for “cage free” or “free roaming” when buying eggs.
Laying hens are raised in cramped wire cages.
“Organic” eggs are cage-free
USDA Organic Standards:
Plants:
Grown in soils not treated with conventional
pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides for at least 3 years
Produced without genetically engineered seeds
Animals:
Given organic feed
Raised WITHOUT growth hormones and antibiotics
Can NOT be raised in “factory-like” confinement
conditions
Organic Certification
“100% Organic”
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
Fair Trade Certification
An international movement committed to the
production of food products paid at a fair price
to farmers. 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.
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
TransFair
A non-profit organization located in Oakland
TransFair is one of 23 members of Fairtrade Labeling
Organization (FLO), an international group that establishes Fair
Trade standards
The ONLY certifier of Fair Trade products in the U.S.
600 products meet the standards & display the Fair Trade label
ONLY agricultural products are certified
Coffee, tea, sugar, cocoa, fresh fruit, rice & spices (vanilla)
www.transfairusa.org