Grocery Shopping: Reading Labels
Nutrition Label | Label Definitions
Reading food labels can become a natural skill for you. Although it may take a little longer to shop at first, the benefits will be worthwhile. For most foods, the ingredients must be listed on the label. Ingedients are listed in order of concentration, from most to least. Some products, such as mayonnaise and catsup, are made according to set "Standards of Identity" so the ingredients don't have to be listed. The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 requires that most FDA and USDA regulated products contain a nutrition label (shown below). Manufacturers must follow rigid rules (such as listing disclosure) when making health claims on their products.
