Food labels are on most foods you buy. The FDA checks that food labels are present. They are not necessarily concerned if they are accurate.  There is a 10% margin of error built in to government food labs labels. A violation of federal law occurs only if a food label is more than 20% off.

That sure is interesting. If a person where to eat 20% more sugar or fat than they thought they where eating, it could make a big difference in gaining instead of loosing weight!

I love these percentages of error that are allowed in industry. How many babies is it OK for the NICU nurse to drop? The correct answer would be “0” (zero).  There is no percentage of error for the NICU nurse. Why is there a 20% margin of error for food labels. Could have a profound impact on people’s lives. A food that has 20% more calories than the label indicates could mean a weight gain of 10 or more pounds in a year (100 calories extra per day).

Dr Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of FDA said in a speech to the National food Policy conference, “The public health importance of food labeling as an essential means for informing consumers about proper nutrition . . . has not been substantially addressed since the FDA implemented the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, more than 16 years ago.” She also noted that “the emergence of claims may not provide the full picture of their products’ true nutritional value. It will be important to reestablish a science-based approach to protect the public…” The article goes on to say “misleading claims, ranging from promises that a food can ‘strengthen’ your immune system to misleading pictures on the fronts of food labels that misrepresent the type and quantity of fruits and vegetables in a processed food, are out of control and interfere with the consumer’s ability to make healthy food choices.”

Next time you go shopping take a good look at the front of the package. For example a package of mocaha cherry double chocolate layer cake may have the following claims on the box. “Contains Cherries” (How much real fruit is in the product?) “All Natural” (Just so you know, the FDA has not defined ‘natural’). “Made with Whole Wheat” (How much ‘whole’ wheat and how much other refined wheat?) “High in Fiber” (What kind of fiber?) “0g Trans Fat” (But is the food high is saturated fats?) “Supports immunity!” (Can a processed food really strengthen your immune system?)
When you pick of a package of processed food, really question the label. Too good to be true is too good to be true.

Dr Mercola had a video busting the claim that a cereal had “iron” in it. They showed that the “iron” in the cereal was iron filings. It was pretty gross. Unfortunately, I can’t find that video.

They are recommending food labels that are easy to read. They are looking to include that calories per serving and calories per package. How many of us get 2 1/2 servings out of a 20 ounce soda pop? It is 100 calories per serving but 240 calories per bottle.

They are recommending that a serving size be updated to what people actually consume. I would consider that 20 ounce bottle a pop, one serving. Probably you do too. Who eats a 1/2 cup of ice cream? Most of us would look at that serving and think we were cheated.

New labels are coming. If you are interested in learning about serving sizes we ate in 1980 verses today click here. When you read this free report, you will see why we are having so much trouble with obesity.

Blessings, Mary Pat

Mary Pat FitzGibbons RN MS