Nutrition fact labels, located on the side of processed food packages or found in produce section directories, give the consumer a quick overview of the nutrients found in the item. The labels give consumers the power to make informed choices about their food consumption.
Basic Features
A nutrition label begins with listing the serving size for the food item and the number of servings that make up the container. Next, the label lists calories and nutrients including total fat, cholesterol and sodium. Below the nutrients that should be limited are fiber, carbohydrates, sugar and protein. The recommended daily value for these nutrients are listed to the right of the nutrient. These daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Vitamin Information
Beneath the protein amount, the nutrition label will list important vitamins contained in the product. According to the FDA, these are vitamins that Americans often do not consume enough of, and consuming more of these nutrients can help reduce the risk of some diseases.
Footnote
After the label's vitamin content, there is a footnote. The footnote states that the percent daily values listed on the label are for an individual consuming a 2,000 calorie per day diet. It also states how much fat, cholesterol, sodium and carbohydrates should be consumed on a 2,000 calorie a day diet and on a 2,500 calorie a day diet. This footnote does not change from product to product.
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