Country of Origin labeling<\/strong><\/h3>\nCountry of Origin Labeling (COOL) is require by the US for meats such as chicken, seafood, including produce and some nuts. This basic information provides which country food was produced.<\/p>\n
Treated with Irradiation<\/h3>\n
I know what you\u2019re thinking\u2026. What the heck, radiation on food?! Ionizing radiation can extend shelf life and improve the quality and safety of foods. The idea behind irradiated food is to destroy bacteria by exposing them to free radicals thus protecting against food born illness. National and international organizations have concluded irradiated food is safe. I have not done enough research to be for or against this. There has been some research that food irradiation causes minimal changes to the chemical composition of some foods BUT its not natural so I cant speak on this with out more research. Most people do not know whether the foods they are eating have received a dose of ionizing radiation because most places do not require labeling such as restaurants. However, grocery stores should have irradiated food labeled with a radura symbol.<\/p>\n
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4 rules to consider when looking at Nutrition facts<\/h2>\nStep 1: Claims on the front<\/h4>\nStep 2: Serving Size, Total Calories, Percent Daily Values<\/h4>\nStep 3: Nutritional Facts\/Terms<\/h4>\nStep 4: The additives<\/h4>\n
1) The claims on the front of the container\/box<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Cage free eggs- Most chickens are raised without cages but it says nothing about other living conditions.<\/li>\n
- Free range- These labels are regulated by the USDA for poultry meat ONLY.<\/li>\n
- No hormones- This means that animal received no hormones over its lifetime.<\/li>\n
- No antibiotics- This means that the animal received no antibiotics over its lifetime. Antibiotic usage on farm animals is linked to antibiotic resistance and has increasingly become a health issue.<\/li>\n
- Grass fed- This means that the animals primary source of food comes from grass and not grains or corn. However, there are no government standards for this label<\/li>\n
- Pasture raised- This generally means animals spent time outdoors on pasture. This is a traditional farming method on smaller farms compared to factory-farmed animals. Again, there are no government standards for this label.<\/li>\n
- Natural- Certain items listed as natural are not USDA regulated. However, the government defines natural as products cannot contain artificial flavors, preservatives or other artificial ingredients. Also, there is no information on how the animal is raised, what they are fed, including antibiotic and\/or hormone usage.<\/li>\n
- Seafood labels- There is no USDA standard for organic sea food certification.<\/li>\n
- Fresh- When an item is labeled fresh, it only indicates it was not frozen until it reaches zero. It does not describe if there has been a processed or preservative added. The USDA does not regulate this label.<\/li>\n
- NON-GMO vs non-GMO Project verified- GMO is genetically modified organisms used to alter the genetic material in plants and meats for the purpose of food. Many countries require GMO labeling on foods. The United states and Canada do not require labeling. However, the United states has started the process toward mandating GMO labeling on food items. Non–GMO Project Verified is a standard set fourth to require testing and traceability to verify the claim. A generic non-GMO claim is not reliable because there is no standard of testing to verify the claim.<\/li>\n
- Whole Grains: <\/strong>Many bread and pasta products claim to be “whole wheat”, but the first ingredient in the ingredient list is often wheat flour (AKA refined flour).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2) Serving Size, Total Calories, Percent Daily Values<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Serving size- The number of servings in the package. The serving size is calculated by using the Recommended Amount Customarily Consumed (RACC) that the FDA created.<\/li>\n
- Total Calories- This provides a measurement of how much energy you get from a serving of food<\/li>\n
- Percent daily values- The percentage of the daily value for each nutrient in a serving of food. This helps you determine if the food is high or low in nutrients<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Example-Goldfish crackers<\/p>\n
Serving size- 55 pieces; Calories-140, DV%- Calcium 4%<\/p>\n
So for every 55 pieces consumed, you will have obtained 140 calories. The daily value of calcium in your diet from the 55 goldfish is 4%. If you consumed 110 pieces (doubled) then you would double the calories to 280. A 4% daily value of calcium is low in nutrients of calcium.<\/p>\n
3) The nutrients facts<\/strong><\/p>\nA Nutrition Facts table. This gives you information about:<\/p>\n