Food Labels

Its what you eat

 Outline
What is a nutrition facts label?
How do I read it?
Is this good or bad?
What are additives?
MS..what?
What in the world is an GMO?
 What is a nutrition facts label?

A nutrition facts label is a label

which provides you with
information about the nutritional
value found in common food
products. Such information
includes: serving size, calories,
fats, cholesterol, sodium, protein,
vitamins, fiber, sugars, and
ingredients.

Old Label and New Label

 How do I read it?
The label is divided into five parts, such parts include:
1. Serving size and Servings per container
2. Calories and calories from fat
3. Bad Nutrients
Fat
Saturated
Trans
Cholesterol
Sodium
4. Good Nutrients
Fiber
Sugars
Protein
Vitamins
Minerals
5. Foot Notes
 Is it good or bad?
The Daily Value Percentage acts as a quick
guide for consumers.
A percentage of 5% or less is low
Not a good source
A percentage from 6-19% is mid
A good source
A percentage of 20% or more is high
May or may not be a good source
 What are additives?
According to the FDA Food additives are:
Any substance the intended use of which results
or may reasonably be expected to result --
directly or indirectly -- in its becoming a
component or otherwise affecting the
characteristics of any food.
They are used then to:
Maintain or improve safety
Maintain or improve nutritional value
Improve the taste and texture
 What are additives?
Additives can be direct or indirect
Direct Additives are added to the food for
a specific purpose.
Example: xanthan gum is added to
food to provide texture
Indirect Additives are those which become
apart of the food product in trace amount
due to packaging, storage, or handling.
FDA regulates all permits for food
packaging by manufactures who
submit all materials in which the food
product is coming into contact with
 MS..what?
MSG!
MSG or Monosodium glutamate is a
flavor enhancer found in some of your
favorite food including but not limited
to...
Chinese food
Processed meats
Soups
Chips
*Sodium = Salt
 MSwhat?
The FDA recognizes MSGs as generally safe and thus
require a food labeling
Common reactions to MSG include:
Headache
Flushing
Sweating
Facial pressure or tightness
Numbness, tingling or burning in the face, neck
and other areas
Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations)
Chest pain
Nausea
Weakness
 What in the world is a GMO?
GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism
This is an organism whos DNA is altered or modified
through genetic engineering
In most cases GMOs are altered with DNA from
another organism
Including:
Bacteria's
Plants
Viruses
Animals
Currently the FDA does not require a GMOs to be
labeled
 Next

We take a closer look at GMOs

Followed by a look at pesticides and organic foods
This will lead us into a debate
Should we continue to grow GMOs?
Do we use pesticides?
Is organic food worth it?
 Citations
Coborn, A. (2017, January, 7). Label Reading 101. http://cobornsblog.com/2014/01/07/label-
reading-101/
FDA. (2004, November). How to Understand and Use Nutrition Facts Labels.
http://www.citationmachine.net/bibliographies/193930622?new=true
FDA. (2017, April, 3). Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label.
https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/
LabelingNutrition/ucm385663.htm
FDA. (2014, December, 2). Overview of Food Ingredients, Additives and Colors.
https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/foodadditivesingredients/ucm094211.h
tm
Zertasky, K. (2015, March, 13). What is MSG? Is it bad for you?.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-
answers/monosodium-glutamate/faq-20058196