Understanding Food Labels
Understanding Food Labels
Deciphering a product’s nutritional value is just as important as being able to compare prices. Use the Triscuit food package that is part of this handout, as well as your nutrition book (chapter 2), and answer the following 25 questions. Each question is worth 2 points.
1. What is the serving size listed on Nutrition Facts panel?
2. How many grams of saturated fat does this food contain per serving?
3. According to the FDA, what is the definition of “low fat?”
4. According to the FDA definition, could this product be called “low fat?”
5. How many calories are there in a serving of these crackers?
6. If you ate 18 of these Triscuit crackers, how many calories would that be?
7. Look at the Nutrition Facts panel, in the area under the bold print heading “Total Fat.” Which type of
fat (saturated, trans, polyunsaturated or monounsaturated) is found in the highest amount?
8. Look in the Ingredients area under the Nutrition Facts panel. Which ingredient listed here provided the
most fat?
9. Which nutrient provides the highest percentage of the Daily Value that is recommended?
10. What is the FDA’s definition of “low cholesterol?”
11. What is the FDA’s definition of “low sodium?”
12. Could these crackers be listed as low sodium (according to the FDA’s definition)?
13. The FDA recommends that a 2,000 calorie diet have a sodium limit of 2,400 milligrams. Circle the
amount of milligrams of sodium recommended by the FDA for a 2,500 calorie diet.
2,400 milligrams 3,000 milligrams 3,200 milligrams 4,000 milligrams
14. Would you say this product provides more simple or complex carbohydrates?
15. Look in the ingredients area under the Nutrition Facts panel. Which ingredient listed here provides the
most carbohydrates?
16. Certain labels claim to be a good source of a particular nutrient. According to the FDA, what is the definition of a “good source” of a nutrient?
17. Looking at the Nutrition Facts panel, what is the only nutrient which could be claimed as a “good
source,” according to the FDA definition?
18. According to the FDA, what is the definition of “high fiber?”
19. According to this definition, is the food represented by this label high fiber (yes or no)?
20. Which ingredient in these crackers is found in the highest amount?
21. Which ingredient in these crackers is found in the lowest amount?
22. According to the FDA, what is the definition of a Nutrient Claim?
23. Are there any Nutrient Claims found on the packaging (yes or no)?
If yes, list:
24. According to the FDA, what is the definition of a Health Claim?
25. Are there any Health Claims on the packaging (yes or no)?
If yes, list:
Bonus: (+2 points)
Some statements are put on labels which don’t meet the FDA definitions for a Nutrient or Health claim, but are put there to provide information for the consumer. List something on this Triscuit label which is informational, but isn’t technically a Nutrient or a Health claim.
Use the following Glossary 2-1 Food Label Terms, from your book, to help you answer the questions for this project:
C:\Users\mmurphy\Pictures\Saved Pictures\Food Label Terms.jpg
