Chapter 15: Product and Supplement Labels and Claims Flashcards
What is included in the food nutrition labels? Do the supplement labels differ from food
labels?
The nutrition labels are used to provide information for helping consumers make the
proper informed choices regarding their food they are purchasing and consuming. On the nutrition facts label, it starts with the serving size and the servings contained in the container. The main section is the amount er servings, where we have the number of calories and the daily percent for total fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, and protein. Under total fats they break down the saturated and the trans fats. Under carbs we break down the dietary Fiber and the total sugars in the food, along with the added sugars. For important vitamins, we have vitamin D, calcium, potassium and iron. The supplement labels will have the same format.
- What kind of nutrient content claims exist?
We have many nutrient content claims. The different normal nutrient claims are things like Free, Low, and Reduced/less. There are also many synonyms used for these. Some other claims will be with things like high, rich in, or excellent source. These mean a food contains 20 percent or more of the daily value. Some other claims are good source of, contains, or provides. These mean something has 10 – 19 percent of daily value. When a claim is more than 10 percent daily value, you see more, fortified, enriched, added, extra, or plus. Some other claims will be like modified foods, claims for antioxidants, and high potency.
- What is a health claim? Who is responsible for reviewing and authorizing these?
Health claims are any claims that states, suggests, or implies a relationship between a food and a constituent of health. These health claims have to be reviewed and authorized by the FDA.
- Give an example of a health claim and dietary guidance that could be made.
Health Claim: 3 grams of soluble Fiber from oatmeal each day in a low saturated fat and cholesterol diet may have a reduction in the risk of heart disease.
Dietary Guidance: Eating 3 ounces of whole grains every day may reduce the risk from many chronic diseases.
- What are structure and function claims?
Structure and function claims are claims used to describe the relationship between a nutrient deficiency and a disease or how a dietary ingredient affects the structure or function of humans. Many regulations are in place for these claims. They often will appear on foods, dietary supplements, and drugs. An example of this claim would be: Fiber maintains regularity of the bowels.
- What is organic food? What promises are made by the organic food label?
Organic food is raised in a defined set of standards to produce food that is natural and without a lot of added products to protect it. Organic farmers preserve natural resources and biodiversity, support animal health and welfare, give access to the natural outdoor areas the animals would originally be in, only use approved materials, and they most importantly do not use genetically modified ingredients. Organic claims can be 100% organic, organic, made with organic, or organic ingredients.
when is a nutrition fact label not necessary?
- When the food is a whole food, such as an apple or banana.
- For retailers whose sales of foods or dietary supplements to consumers are < $50,000 in total sales
Talk about “organic” claims.
An important note about organic land in the United States is that it only has to be chemical free for three years before an organic crop is harvested from it to be claimed as “organic farmland.” Organic seeds for food like grain, edible produce, and beans are typically used on organic farmland, but it is not required if the sprouts of the plant themselves are not consumed. So long as a farmer makes a reasonable effort to locate organic seed, if they cannot find any, they can use whatever is available
