Food labels can be a great tool for keeping track of the vitamins, minerals, calories and fats in your diet. They can also help you monitor your weight and energy levels and avoid nutrient deficiencies such as iron and vitamin D. They can also help you find nutrient-dense foods that contribute to a healthy diet and avoid high-calorie, highly processed junk foods that offer little nutritional value.

The front of a label must include the statement of identity, net contents and the name and address of the manufacturer. This information can be helpful in the event of a food recall because it allows you to trace the product to its source. The next two areas are required by federal regulations and contain the ingredients list and nutrition facts. The ingredients list usually lists the items in descending order by weight and includes their nutritional characteristics. The Nutrition Facts panel presents nutrient information on a per-serving basis and can be used to compare the calories, sodium, fat, carbohydrates, fiber and protein in similar products.

In addition, the new food labels require the inclusion of added sugar on the carbohydrate section to differentiate between sugar that naturally occurs in a product (like yogurt or fruit) from the added sugar found in cookies, candy and soda. This will help consumers make better choices and encourage them to eat more nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables and limit high-calorie sugary beverages and processed food products. food labels