Nutrition labeling
Nutrition Labeling
Nutrition labeling (/njuːˈtrɪʃən ˈleɪbəlɪŋ/) refers to the disclosure of nutritional content on food packaging. The practice is regulated by various laws and regulations, which vary by country.
Etymology
The term "nutrition labeling" is derived from the words "nutrition", which comes from the Latin nutritio meaning "nourishment", and "labeling", which comes from the Old French label meaning "a strip or piece of cloth".
History
Nutrition labeling has been a requirement in many countries since the mid-20th century. The United States was one of the first countries to implement such regulations, with the passage of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938. This act required that all food products sold in the U.S. provide information about their nutritional content.
Purpose
The primary purpose of nutrition labeling is to provide consumers with information about the nutritional content of food products. This includes information about the amount of calories, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sugars, protein, and certain vitamins and minerals that a food product contains.
Format
In most countries, nutrition labels are required to include certain information. This typically includes:
- Serving size: This is the amount of food that is considered a single serving. The nutritional information on the label is based on this amount.
- Calories: This is the amount of energy that the food provides.
- Nutrients: This includes both the amount and the % Daily Value (%DV) of various nutrients. The %DV is a guide to the nutrients in one serving of food in relation to their contribution to a total daily diet.
Related Terms
- Food labeling
- Dietary Reference Intakes
- Recommended Dietary Allowance
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans
- Food and Drug Administration
- European Food Safety Authority
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Nutrition labeling
- Wikipedia's article - Nutrition labeling
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