How to read and use the nutrition facts labels
Most branded packaged food products have nutrition facts information, but not everyone can read this information effectively and easily. The information below helps consumers have a more appropriate approach and choice of food.
The Nutrition Facts labels provide details on total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sugar, protein, vitamins and minerals.
Serving size
Serving size represents serving size information and the number of servings contained in a package.
Serving size affects calories and all nutrients listed at the top of the nutrition label. Pay attention to portions, especially how many are in your food package. Then ask yourself how many servings you are consuming (eg half a serving, 1 serving..) Because eating a large portion means you're eating a lot of calories and can cause you to gain weight.
Calories
Calories are used to show how much energy you get from food. The calories on food labels will help you control how much you eat. The number of servings you eat will determine how many calories you consume when you eat. Consuming too many calories per day will lead to overweight and obesity.
Limit nutrients
The nutrients listed are those that are commonly consumed, if not excessive. They are enclosed in a yellow frame to indicate usage restrictions. Eating too much fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, or sodium can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart attack, certain cancers, or high blood pressure.
| Important: Health experts recommend that we limit our intake of fats, saturated fats, and trans fats as low as possible for a balanced diet. |
Get enough of nutrients
Usually, people don't get enough fiber, vitamin D, potassium, calcium, and iron in their diets. In the nutrition label, they are colored green with the expression “Eat enough of these substances”. Eating enough of these substances can improve health and help reduce the risk of disease. For example, eating enough calcium can reduce the risk of osteoporosis (osteoporosis can lead to brittle bones at a certain age). Eating enough fiber promotes bowel function. In addition, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grain products containing fiber, especially soluble fiber, and low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.
| Remember: You need to use the nutrition facts panel not only to limit the substances you don't want but also to increase the nutrients you need to consume. |
Percent Daily Value (%DV)
%DV is based on DV recommendations for nutrients based on 2,000 calories Most people don't know how many calories they take in in a day. But you can still use the %DV as a benchmark to decide if you should eat more or less than 2,000 calories.
%DV helps you decide if a food is nutrient-rich or nutrient-poor. If the %DV is less than 5%, it is said to be low for all nutrients, substances you want to control such as fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium), or substances you need to ingest more such as fiber, calcium. In the example shown above 20% is high for all nutrients
Understand the note at the bottom of the nutrition facts labels
The * is used after reading the percentage of the nutritional value in the nutrition facts table. It is shown at the bottom of the label that tells you the percentage of nutritional value based on a 2,000-calorie diet. This needs to be on all food labels.
Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang's service
Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang is proud to be a member of Eurofins Scientific Group, a leading scientific group in the world in the fields of food, feed, water, environmental and pharmaceutical testing.
Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang provides consulting services and analyzes nutritional values on nutrition facts labels according to FDA standards to meet the US market. An independent testing laboratory system is accredited by the BOA and the authorities competent state such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Natures Resources and Environment. We are ready to support exporters of Agricultural and Food products.
Visit our service article for more information
|
Nutrition testing |
Read more related news
- Ammonium NH4 contamination in water: Current status and Solutions
- Why should control the toxin acrylamide?
- Pesticide products containing Chlorpyrifos-ethyl, Fipronil have been banned in Vietnam
- Risk of Clostridium Botulinum poisoning from canned food
- Dioxin control in animal feed
- Stop microplastics pollution to save the environment
To send samples or find more information, please contact us at:
Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang
- Lot E2b-3, D6 Street, Hi-Tech Park, City. Thu Duc
- Floor M, 141 Nguyen Du, District 1, HCMC
- 4th floor - Building B, No. 103 Van Phuc Street, Ha Dong District, Hanoi
- Room 319, Vietnam - Korea High-Tech Incubator, Road No. 8, Industrial Park Tra Noc 2, O Mon District, City. Can Tho
Hotline: (+84) 28 7107 78 79 - press 1 (Sales Dept.)
Email: VN_CS@eurofins.com