Tag: Food labeling laws

According to regulatory bodies like the FDA and Food Standards Agency, ingredients are not listed in a random order but are mandated to appear in a specific, descending sequence based on their proportion by weight. Understanding how ingredients are ordered is crucial for consumers, allowing them to make informed choices about the products they buy and consume.

The US Department of Agriculture implemented a mandatory bioengineered food disclosure standard in 2022. Given this, consumers often wonder: does Coca-Cola have bioengineered ingredients, and how do labeling requirements apply to popular sodas?

In the United States, a nutrition label can legally state zero calories per serving if it contains fewer than 5 calories. This regulatory loophole is the real reason people believe mustard is calorie-free, despite the fact that it is made from calorie-containing mustard seeds and other ingredients. This common misconception is based on the small serving size and legal rounding rules, not the actual absence of calories.

According to the FDA, many food products are exempt from carrying a nutrition label, which often surprises consumers. Understanding what foods do not require nutrition labels is key to navigating grocery store aisles and farmers' markets with greater clarity.

According to Coeliac UK, the internationally recognized Crossed Grain symbol provides a quick, trusted reference point for consumers identifying safe gluten-free products. This mark, featuring a crossed-out grain stalk within a circle, signifies that the product has undergone rigorous certification to ensure it meets strict gluten-free standards. Understanding what is the universal symbol for gluten-free is essential for anyone managing a gluten-free diet.

According to the American Heart Association, monounsaturated fats can help reduce bad cholesterol, a key health benefit behind the "high in monounsaturated fat claim" on food packaging. Consumers need to understand what this claim means to accurately interpret nutrition labels and make healthier dietary choices.

Over 70% of countries use the metric system for most measurements, and this extends to food energy, meaning not all countries use calories. The calorie is often used interchangeably with kilocalorie in North America, while the majority of the world uses the kilojoule (kJ), the standard international unit for energy.

According to reports, a single Tic Tac weighs exactly 0.49 grams, a precise measurement that allows the Italian confectioner Ferrero to legally list the mint as having zero grams of sugar in some markets, including the United States. This precise weight has captivated consumers and food scientists alike, prompting a deeper look into the intricate world of food labeling and candy manufacturing.

Genetically modified crops have been in the food supply since the 1990s, yet a 2018 study found that a significant number of consumers still lack confidence in their ability to identify GMO products. Learning how can you tell if food is GMO involves understanding the various mandatory and voluntary labeling practices used today.

While Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) provide specific nutritional goals, they are not used for food labeling. Instead, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) developed a standardized reference value called the Daily Value (DV), which is used on the Nutrition Facts panel to simplify consumer understanding.