Do you think that fat-free, sugar-free cookie is all it claims to be? Think again!
The “Nutrition Facts” food labels are intended to give you information about the specific packaged food in question. Measurements of fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate, protein, vitamins and minerals are calculated for a “typical portion.” But, reading these labels can be confusing.
Some food labels make claims such as “low cholesterol” or “low fat.” These claims can only be used if a food meets strict government definitions. Here are some of the meanings.
| LABEL CLAIM | DEFINITION (per standard serving size) |
| Fat-free or sugar-free | Less than 0.5 gram (g.) of fat or sugar |
| Low fat | 3 g. of fat or less |
| Reduced fat or reduced sugar | At least 25% less fat or sugar |
| Cholesterol free | Less than 2 milligrams (mg.) cholesterol and 2 g. or less of saturated fat |
| Reduced cholesterol | At least 25% less cholesterol and 2 g. or less of saturated fat |
| Calorie free | Less than 5 calories |
| Low calorie | 40 calories or less |
| Light or lite | 1/3 fewer calories or 50% less fat; if more than half the calories come from fat, fat content must be reduced by 50% or more |
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