Nutrition Science and Everyday Application - beta v 0.1

UNDERSTANDING FOOD LABELS 59
they can also be used on foods, and they’re usually found on foods that are fortified with
specific nutrients. They are marketing language, and because nutrients are involved in so
many processes, they really don’t mean much.
As you look at food labels, pay attention to what’s shown on the front of the package
compared with the back and side of the package. Nutrient and health claims are usually
placed strategically on the front of the package, in large, colorful displays with other
marketing messages, designed to sell you the product. But for consumers trying to decide
which product to buy, you’ll find the most useful information by turning the package around
to read the Nutrition Facts panel and ingredients list. These parts of the label may appear
more mundane, but if you understand how to read them, you’ll find that they’re rich in
information.
Self-Check
An interactive H5P element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here:
https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/nutritionscience/?p=771#h5p-29
References:
• 1 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2013, January). A Food Labeling Guide:
Guidance for Industry. Retrieved January 2, 2020, from FDA website:
https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/
guidance-industry-food-labeling-guide
• 2 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019, December 11). Food Labeling &
Nutrition. Retrieved December 18, 2019, from FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/
food/food-labeling-nutrition
• 3 National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. (n.d.). Daily Values
(DVs). Retrieved December 22, 2019, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/
HealthInformation/dailyvalues.aspx
• 4 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019, September 5). New and Improved
Nutrition Facts Label. Retrieved January 2, 2020, from FDA website:
http://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-resources-materials/new-andimproved-nutrition-facts-label
• 5 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018). Questions and Answers on Health
Claims in Food Labeling. FDA. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/food/food-