Food Label Close-Up

by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

What do you look for first when you read a food label? Fat content, calories, serving size?

A 1997 survey of more than 1,000 adults by Food Marketing Institute and Prevention Magazine found that such information on the Nutrition Facts label was sought by most label readers. Fat content was No. 1, followed by calories, sodium content, ingredients, and saturated fat.

Their responses show just how diverse label information has become.

Some label information, such as the manufacturer's name and address, is required. Some, such as health claims and terms that describe a food's nutrient content, is voluntary. Much of it is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. (The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates labeling of meat and poultry. FDA regulates labeling of all other foods, including game meats.)

Some information has been added to the label in recent years. This is the result of two laws that became effective in 1994: the American Technology Preeminence Act of 1991 and the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA).

Under the Technology Preeminence Act, food manufacturers have to list the net contents of their products in both metric units and inch and pound units.

Regulations implemented under NLEA require:

• nutrition information on almost all foods
• a new format for presenting nutrition information
• set definitions for nutrient claims, such as "low-fat" and "high-fiber"
• appropriate use of 10 scientifically proven claims about the relationship between a nutrient or food and reducing the risk of a disease or health-related condition
• ingredient listing on all foods, including standardized food, with two or more ingredients.

The food label was designed to make label information complete, useful and accurate. Consumers not only are able to know more about the foods they eat but they can have confidence in what they read on the label.

Here's a rundown of today's food label.

A Two-Panel Label

A food package usually has at least two distinct areas: the principal display panel, or PDP, and the information panel.

The PDP is the part of the label consumers see first when they purchase a product. So, in almost all cases, the PDP is the front of the package. This is where FDA requires the name of the product and the net quantity of contents statement.

The information panel is usually to the immediate right of the PDP. It is reserved for the nutrition information; ingredient list; and name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor. If there's insufficient space on the information panel for these three pieces of information, they then can be divided between the PDP and the information panel.

Also, these three items of information may be separated from each other on packages with less than 40 square inches available for labeling. On these packages, the Nutrition Facts panel may be moved to another panel if there is insufficient space for it on the information panel.

FDA also allows the Nutrition Facts panel on larger packages to be moved to other panels, too, if there is insufficient space on the PDP or information panel for all of the required information.

Nevertheless, each of these items of information is considered one piece, and as a general rule they cannot be broken up with intervening material. For example, a Universal Product Code (UPC) cannot appear in the middle of the Nutrition Facts panel. And a health claim or product trademark cannot appear in the middle of the ingredient list.

Food Name

The name of a food is called the "statement of identity." It's easy to spot because it's one of the principal features of the PDP. It must be in English, although foreign language versions may accompany it. Its common or usual name also must be given: for example, "whole kernel corn," "honey," or "tuna packed in spring water." When appropriate, it must describe the form of the food, too, such as "sliced peaches" or "whole peaches."

A brand name can serve as the statement of identity if the name is commonly used and understood by the public to refer to a specific food — for example, Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola.

Net Quantity

The net quantity of contents statement helps consumers in two ways: First, it lets consumers know how much food is in a container, and second, it aids in price comparison.

It refers only to the quantity of food (including any liquid or juice usually eaten in which the food may be packed) in a package or container. It does not include the weight of the container or wrappers.

Shoppers will find the net quantity of contents statement in the lower third of the PDP.

The net quantity of contents has to be stated in both inch - pound units and metric units. On the label, the statement would appear like this: Net Wt 8 oz (226 g). ("Oz" is an abbreviation for ounces and "g" for grams.)

Instead of the term "weight," manufacturers may choose to use "mass" when stating the quantity of a solid food. "Net content" will continue to be one of the optional terms for liquid foods.

Manufacturers may voluntarily state the net quantity of contents in a dual manner for the inch - pound units — for example, 20 fluid ounces (1 1/4 pint) — but they are not required to do so.

Nutrition Facts

Almost every food has to carry information about its nutritional content. (See "Good Reading for Good Eating" in the May 1993 FDA Consumer.) This information is found under the heading "Nutrition Facts."

Ingredients

The ingredient list helps consumers identify foods that have substances they are allergic to or want to avoid for other reasons. It also helps them select foods with ingredients they want.

An ingredient list is required on all packaged foods composed of two or more ingredients, even standardized foods. Foods with two or more discrete components, such as cherry pie — which has filling and pie crust — may have a separate ingredient list for each of the components.

Ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance by weight. This gives consumers an idea of the proportion of an ingredient in a food.

Company Name

A food label must identify the firm responsible for the product (either the manufacturer, packer or distributor) and the firm's city, state and zip code (or another mailing code if the product is imported). A street address is not required if the name is listed in a current telephone book. A telephone number is not mandatory.

The required information is there mainly so that consumers have a point of contact if they find something wrong with the product.

About the Author

www.fda.gov
FDA is A United States government body that oversees medical devices, including contact lenses, intraocular lenses, excimer lasers and eyedrops. In the US, these products must be approved by the FDA before they can be marketed.