FOOD LABEL CLAIMS
Pam Wellman, R.D., CNSD LABEL CLAIM DEFINITIONS Do you still find that some product descriptions on food labels are confusing? For instance, what is the difference between "light and low calorie", or between "low fat and cholesterol free"? These label claims definitions (or "nutrient content descriptors") were specified in the 1990 Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA), which was enforced starting in May 1994. Hopefully, the following information will shed some "light" on the subject.
NUTRIENT CONTENT DESCRIPTORS:
- Free: Product contains zero or only inconsequential amounts of one or more of these components: Fat, Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, Sodium, Sugar, and Calories.
- Low: Can be used for a food that does not exceed the following guidelines for a particular nutrient, as follows:
Low Fat
3 grams or less per serving (e.g., low fat bologna)
Low Saturated Fat
1 gram or less per serving (e.g., low saturated fat margarine)
Low Sodium
Less than 140 milligrams per serving (e.g., low sodium soup)
Very Low Sodium
Less than 35 milligrams per serving (e.g., fresh fruits/vegetables)
Low Cholesterol
Less than 20 milligrams per serving (e.g., skim dairy desserts)
Low Calorie
40 calories or less per serving (e.g., low calorie jelly)
- Lean and extra lean: Can be used to describe meat, poultry, seafood and game. All of the following must be true to call the meat lean or extra lean:
Lean
Less than 10 grams of fat, less than 4 grams of saturated fat, and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per serving and per 100 grams (about 3 1/2 ounces).
Extra Lean
Less than 5 grams of fat, less than 2 grams of saturated fat, and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per serving and per 100 grams.
- High: Can describe a food that contains 20% or more of the guidelines for a desirable nutrient (i.e. high calcium).
- Good Source: Means that one serving of the food contains 10% to 19% of the guidelines for a desired nutrient (i.e. good source of Vitamin C)
- Reduced: Means that a nutritionally altered product contains 25% less of an undesirable nutrient or calories than the standard product. (i.e. reduced fat mayonnaise)
- Less: Means that a food, whether altered or not, contains 25% less of an undesirable nutrient or calories, than the standard item (i.e. contains 25% less sodium or fat)
- Light or Lite: This descriptor can mean two things:
1) A nutritionally altered product that contains 1/3 fewer calories or 1/2 the fat of the standard food (i.e. light cream cheese).
2) The sodium content of a low calorie, low fat food has been reduced by 50% (i.e. low sodium salad dressing).
The term "Light" can still be used to describe texture and color if the label explains the intent.
- More: Means that a food, whether altered or not, contains a minimum of 10% more of the guidelines for a desired nutrient (i.e. more fiber).
