Food Labels

Food labels are found on almost every packaged food you buy at the store. They tell you important information like what ingredients are in the food and how much nutrition it provides. Learning to read food labels can help you make healthier food choices. The nutrition facts panel shows things like calories, fat, sugar, and vitamins.

What Is on a Food Label

The ingredient list shows everything that is in the food, listed from most to least. If sugar is the first ingredient, that means there is more sugar than anything else. The nutrition facts panel shows how many calories are in a serving and how much fat, protein, and other nutrients it has. The serving size tells you how much food the label is describing.

How to Use Food Labels

Food labels help you compare different foods to pick the healthier option. Look for foods with less added sugar and sodium. Check the serving size because it might be smaller than you think. The percent daily value tells you how much of each nutrient one serving gives you. Foods with lots of fiber, vitamins, and minerals are usually healthier choices.

Fun Facts

• Food labels in the United States have been required by law since 1990.
• The ingredient list on food labels must be listed in order from most to least by weight.
• Some foods have more than 30 ingredients listed on their labels.

Did You Know?

The Nutrition Facts label was redesigned in 2016 to make it easier for people to understand how much sugar is added to food!