ALL ABOUT

FOOD LABELS
Health 4
 NUTRITION FACTS PANEL
The NUTRITION
FACTS panel shows
how large one serving
is. It also shows the
number of calories and
amount of nutrients
per serving
The % Daily Value column shows if
the food item is high or low in specific
nutrients.
• Choose food items that have
low daily value percentages
(below 5%) for sodium, fat
and cholesterol.
• Look for food that show
high daily value percentages
(above 20%) of vitamins,
minerals and fibers.
• Sodium – Eating too much sodium can cause
high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and
kidney disease.
• Fat – Eating too much saturated fats in your diet
can raise "bad" cholesterol in your blood, which
can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Cholesterol – With high cholesterol, you can
develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels.
Eventually, these deposits grow, making it
difficult for enough blood to flow through your
arteries. Sometimes, those deposits can break
suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart
attack or stroke.
• Vitamins – They help shore up bones, heal
wounds, and bolster your immune system.
• Minerals – This is important for your body to
stay healthy. Your body uses minerals for many
different jobs, including keeping your bones,
muscles, heart, and brain working properly
• Fibers – Normalizes bowel movements. Dietary
fiber increases the weight and size of your stool
and softens it.
The serving size is the
portion or amount the
average person eats. The
amounts listed for
calories, nutrients, and
food substances are based
on one serving of the
package’s contents.
Advisory Warnings and Statements.
Directions for Use and Storage and
the date markings
 Directions for Use
Directions for Use – it gives
instruction on how to keep the
food fresh, and how to use the
food item. It is important to read
these instructions to ensure that
the food is safe for consumption
and to avoid spoilage.
 Date Marking
Date Marking – it tells us when
the food was manufactured and
when it is no longer fit for
consumption.
The phrases “Expiration Date”
and “Best Before” tell us that
after the dates that follow these
phrases, the manufacturer
cannot guarantee the freshness
of the food.
Think about this
How can you be sure that your food
choices are healthy?