Please don't get fooled by what is written on the packaged foodstuff!
The words written on food packaging are a contract between you and the manufacturer, as mandated by the federal government via the FDA ( Food and drug administration).
Many food producers market their product using false "Health Tag"! So, Beware!
Here, are the 5 common package proclamations that you should look out for, and what they really mean:
1) Drink & Cocktail:
The FDA requires that the amount of juice be labeled on a package when it claims to contain juice. The words drink and cocktail should have you checking the label for percentages and hidden sugars. But beware, even a product labeled 100% juice could be a mixture of cheaper juices like apple juice and white grape juice!
2) Pure:
100% pure products such as orange juice can be doctored with flavor packs for aroma and taste similar to those used by perfume companies.By now we all know about the use of flavor packs added back to fresh squeezed orange juice like Tropicana and Minute Maid!
3) Sugar Free:
This designation means free of sucrose not other sugar alcohols that carry calories from carbohydrates but are not technically sugar. Sugar alcohols are not calorie free. They contain 1.5- 3 calories per gram versus 4 calories per gram for sugar. Also, certain sugar alcohols can cause certain digestion issues!
4) Health Claims:
Could a Probiotic straw give immunity protection to a child? Are "Cheerios" a substitute for cholesterol lowering drugs? The FDA doesn't think so. Foods are authorized to treat diseases. Be suspicious of any food label that claims to be the next wonder drug!!
5) Flavored:
Both natural and artificial flavors are actually made in laboratories. But natural flavorings are isolated from a natural source , whereas artificial flavorings are not. However,natural flavors are not necessarily healthier than artificial.
According to a research,the natural flavor of coconut is not from an actual coconut, as one might expect ,but from the bark of a tree in Malaysia.
That strawberry flavor you love? It could be made from a "Natural" bacterial protein!
The words written on food packaging are a contract between you and the manufacturer, as mandated by the federal government via the FDA ( Food and drug administration).
Many food producers market their product using false "Health Tag"! So, Beware!
Here, are the 5 common package proclamations that you should look out for, and what they really mean:
1) Drink & Cocktail:
The FDA requires that the amount of juice be labeled on a package when it claims to contain juice. The words drink and cocktail should have you checking the label for percentages and hidden sugars. But beware, even a product labeled 100% juice could be a mixture of cheaper juices like apple juice and white grape juice!
2) Pure:
100% pure products such as orange juice can be doctored with flavor packs for aroma and taste similar to those used by perfume companies.By now we all know about the use of flavor packs added back to fresh squeezed orange juice like Tropicana and Minute Maid!
3) Sugar Free:
This designation means free of sucrose not other sugar alcohols that carry calories from carbohydrates but are not technically sugar. Sugar alcohols are not calorie free. They contain 1.5- 3 calories per gram versus 4 calories per gram for sugar. Also, certain sugar alcohols can cause certain digestion issues!
4) Health Claims:
Could a Probiotic straw give immunity protection to a child? Are "Cheerios" a substitute for cholesterol lowering drugs? The FDA doesn't think so. Foods are authorized to treat diseases. Be suspicious of any food label that claims to be the next wonder drug!!
5) Flavored:
Both natural and artificial flavors are actually made in laboratories. But natural flavorings are isolated from a natural source , whereas artificial flavorings are not. However,natural flavors are not necessarily healthier than artificial.
According to a research,the natural flavor of coconut is not from an actual coconut, as one might expect ,but from the bark of a tree in Malaysia.
That strawberry flavor you love? It could be made from a "Natural" bacterial protein!
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