Questions

1. How many of you use food labels to decide what food to buy? 2. What information do you look at? Why? 3. Has anybody ever feel frustrated or turned off by food labels? 4. Youre shopping for lunch---and youre bombarded with choices. a. Which package of hot dogs has the least amount of fat? b. Whats the difference between skim and whole milk? c. Which fruit has more vitamin Ccanned applesauce or peaches? d. Youll find answers on the food label.

Choosing food
Presence of special needs

Have a special need

No special need

Allergies / asthma (food allergy to nuts, seafood, fish, milk, gluten, eggs, soybeans)

Weight loss

Medical condition (diabetes, heart disease, health concerns such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, digestive concerns, Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

All other needs (pregnancy and breast feeding, vegetarian/ religious/ethical beliefs, training for sports, general health, migraine).

Should foods from GM crops be labeled? Perhaps!

Labels are not neutral! Truthful labels can be misleading or meaningless
There are no GM apples anywhere!

Is food labeled this way nutritious?

How to Label?

Conventionally grown Pesticides, twice a week

GMO

Pesticide free

Food & labeling issues

Bad Fats
Saturated fats raise total blood cholesterol as well as bad cholesterol (LDL). Found in animal products such as meat, dairy, eggs and seafood & some plants such as coconut, palm oil and palm kernel oil. Trans Fats were invented by hydrogenating liquid oils to withstand better in food production process and provide a better shelf life. Found in many packaged foods: french Fries, microwaved popcorn, vegetable shortening, hard stick margarine. Hydrogenated: oils that have become hardened, an oil becomes saturated when hydrogen is added (i.e., becomes, hydrogenated). Partially hydrogenated: oils that have become partially hardened and contain high levels of trans fatty acids, which are linked to heart disease.

Food & labeling issues

Good Fats
Monounsaturated Fats: lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and increase the HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol).Nut, canola and olive oils are high in monounsaturated fats. Polyunsaturated fats also lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Seafood like salmon and fish oil, as well as corn, soy, safflower and sunflower oils are high in polyunsaturated fats. Omega 3 fatty acids belong to this group.

Other food & labeling issues

Antibiotics
Most cows, chickens, and other livestock are raised under confined, "factory-like" conditions & routinely given low levels of antibiotics in their feed or water. The animals grow slightly faster and helps stave off infection. Antibiotics and related drugs made in the United States are used for the purpose of fattening livestock.
Concern that they will increase the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that we all need to contend with.

Other food & labeling issues

Hormone additions
Bovine growth hormone (Somatotropin), Stimulates milk production in cows Naturally occurs in cows milk but synthetic supplement given to many milk cows

Information must appear by law on food labels

name & address of manufacturer, packer or seller preparation instructions place of origin

date mark and storage conditions

lot (or batch) mark

genetically modified (GM)

the name of the food

allergy information
ingredients

weight or volume

Other information
Other information which may appear on the label: bar codes; nutrition information; organic certification; vegetarian certification; front of pack labelling schemes.

Conclusion
Food labels tell a lot about food. They dont suggest what foods to eatthats your decision. But labels can help you make your personal best food choiceschoices that benefit you now and in the future, too.