Are you a food label reader?

When it comes to shopping for groceries, not everyone wants to take the time to read the Nutrition Facts label on the back of the can or package, especially when someone is in a hurry.Taking a minute or two to read and understand the label, however, can help shoppers make healthier choices regarding what they eat.

Now is a great time to start reading the Nutrition Facts label. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently made major changes to it for the first time in over twenty years! What's different? Let's look at the comparison below:

The serving size information is now in large, bold print. Calories are in larger and bolder print. Daily Values for nutrients have been updated. Calories from fat have been removed because we now know that the type of fat consumed is more important than the amount. Vitamins A and C were removed because deficiencies of these vitamins are rare today. Added, or "hidden" sugars have been added to the label such as sucrose or dextrose, sugars from syrup and honey, and sugars from concentrated fruit or vegetable juices. Vitamin D and potassium are now required to be listed on the label because Americans do not always get the recommended amounts.

To learn more about eating healthy and shopping wisely, check out the following suggestions from the library's collection using our curbside service.

By JeannaW on August 4, 2021