Chapter 9: Food Labeling

Statement of Identity

The common or usual name of the food product.

Net Quantity of Contents

The amount of product in the package, typically expressed in weight, measure, or numerical count.

Ingredient List

All ingredients listed in descending order of predominance by weight.

Allergen Declaration

A clear identification of major food allergens such as milk, eggs, and peanuts.

Nutrition Facts Label

Provides detailed information about the nutritional content of the food.

Manufacturer Information

Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.

Serving Size

The amount of food that constitutes one serving, crucial for understanding caloric intake.

Caloric Content

Indicates the number of calories per serving.

Nutrient Information

Details the amount of nutrients per serving, including fat, cholesterol, and sugars.

% Daily Value (%DV)

Shows how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet based on a 2,000-calorie reference.

Free

The product contains virtually none of that nutrient, such as calories or sugar.

Low

Contains a small enough amount of a nutrient to be safely consumed frequently.

Very Low

Refers only to sodium; contains ≤35 mg per serving.

Reduced/Less

Contains at least 25% less of a nutrient compared to the regular product.

Light/Lite

Contains fewer calories or 50% less fat than a comparable product.

Good Source

Provides 10%-19% of the Daily Value for a nutrient.

High/Rich/Excellent Source

Contains at least 20% of the Daily Value for a nutrient.

More

Contains at least 10% more of a desirable nutrient than a comparable product.

Lean

Comprises meat/poultry with

Extra Lean

Includes meat/poultry products with

Unqualified Health Claims

Authorized by the FDA based on significant scientific agreement without the need for a disclaimer.

Qualified Health Claims

Supported by emerging evidence and require a disclaimer; not yet conclusive.

Regulation of Dietary Supplements

Classified as food under DSHEA; manufacturers ensure safety post-market.

Regulation of Drugs

Subject to rigorous FDA pre-market approval, including clinical trials.

Marketing of Dietary Supplements

Cannot claim to treat diseases but can make structure/function claims.

Marketing of Drugs

Can claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent diseases after FDA approval.

Precautions for Supplement Users

Consult healthcare providers, research products, follow dosages, and monitor for reactions.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

A non-psychoactive compound from cannabis plants marketed for conditions like anxiety.

Uses of CBD

Marketed for conditions such as anxiety, chronic pain, and epilepsy.

Regulation of CBD Products

Lacks uniformity; while Epidiolex is FDA-approved, many products are not.

Safety Considerations for CBD

Potential interactions with medications and variability in product quality.

FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, responsible for food and drug safety.

Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA)

Legislation that classifies dietary supplements as food.

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Standards that manufacturers must follow to ensure product quality.

Adverse Effects

Negative reactions that may occur from using dietary supplements.

MedWatch Program

FDA program for reporting adverse events related to supplements.

Nutrition Labeling and Education Act

Regulates claims made on food labels to ensure consumer information.

Caloric Intake Management

Monitoring calorie consumption for dietary control.

Serving Per Container

The total number of servings in a food package.

Nutrient Content Claims

Specific claims about the level of nutrients in a food product.

FDA-approved Claims

Claims allowed by the FDA following a rigorous evaluation process.

Structure/Function Claims

Statements describing the role of a nutrient or ingredient in the body.

Third-party Testing

Independent verification of a product's quality and safety.

Dietary Fiber

A type of carbohydrate that aids in digestion.

Added Sugars

Sugars that are added to foods during processing.

Trans Fat

Unsaturated fats that are hydrogenated to solidify at room temperature.

Saturated Fat

A type of fat that is solid at room temperature, found in animal products.

Cholesterol

A substance found in animal products that can affect heart health.

Sodium

A mineral important for fluid balance but is often consumed in excess.

Total Carbohydrates

Sum of all carbohydrates in a food item including sugars and fiber.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Recommendations that provide advice on dietary habits for health.

Food Labeling amendments

Regulations made to improve transparency and understanding of food labels.

Consumer Awareness

Knowledge and understanding consumers should have concerning food products.

Ingredient predominance

Ordering ingredients by weight, with the heaviest first.

Health Claims Examples

Statements made on food labels about the potential health effects of components.

Research by Consumers

Investigating the quality and effectiveness of dietary supplements.

Caloric Value Indicators

Guidance for understanding the energy provided by foods.

Risk Monitoring

The ongoing assessment of the safety of dietary supplements.

Cannabis vs. Cannabidiol

Cannabidiol is derived from cannabis but does not have psychoactive effects.

Epidiolex

The first FDA-approved drug containing CBD for the treatment of epilepsy.

Consumer Safety

The protection of consumers from unsafe or ineffective products.

Health Claims Regulation

The control and standards applied to health-related claims on food packages.

Label Transparency

Clarity and honesty in ingredient and nutritional information on labels.

Nutritional Information

Details provided on food packaging about the components of the food.

Supplements and Health Conditions

Discussion on the use of dietary supplements for managing health issues.