What do labels really mean? We are constantly attacked with colors and claims on food packaging on our trips to the grocery store. However, what ones are actually legit and which ones should we ignore? Here are just a couple to be aware of and a couple to look for next time you go grocery shopping.
Let me spare you the pain of maneuvering the government websites and give you the important takeaways:
Did you know there isn’t a set “serving size” that foods are? Or the fact that if serving has .5 gram of sugar or fat it can be listed as zero? Let’s put this into perspective… a company labels their item so there’s only .5g sugar per serving. They are able to put “zero grams sugar (per serving)” on the package. That means if the serving size is 1T and you eat 2T you’re more consuming 1g of sugar unknowingly. Takeaway: if looking for sugar free, there will be no sugar listed in the "ingredients" list.
Cage Free- This label only means chickens were not confined to a cage during their life. It alone gives no other information about access to outdoors or what type of diet chickens were fed.
Natural Flavors- Although this label sounds legit, there's a lengthy website explaining all the ways which a flavor can be "natural." Is it better than artificial flavors? I would say yes, but there's A LOT of natural that is accepted under this blanket term.
Natural- This term is not formally defined by the FDA, so if a food is labeled "natural" I would recommend it includes some of the labels below as well.
Labels to look for:
Organic- This label is good, but take it with a grain of salt. Yes, organic means the soil hasn't been exposed to prohibited substances in the past 3 years, animals are fed 100% organic feed and forage, and there are (most likely) no synthetic fertilizers/pesticides used. However, there are some synthetic fertilizers/pesticides allowed and they are functioning on an industrial scale just using non synthetic products. In terms of pesticides, this is a better option than non organic fruits, vegetables and meat. We are what our food eats, just think about that for a little bit.
Humanely Raised, Sustainably Raised and similar- These labels are required to include the entity which the product came from.
100% Grass Fed- This label means the animal went from mothers milk to foraging (only) and has never been contained to a feedlot.
Pasture Raised, Free Range/Roaming and similar- There must be documentation showing continuous outside access during the animal's life cycle.
To wrap things up, be aware of what food you are purchasing and consuming! And stay tuned for more tips about food, labeling and nutrition!
Sources:
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/use-term-natural-food-labeling