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Label Literacy

Food marketing claims: look past natural, healthy and clean.

The front of a package sells the product. Use the ingredient list and Nutrition Facts panel to decide.

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The front of the package sells the product

Words such as natural, clean, wholesome and made with real ingredients can shape an impression before you turn the package over. These phrases should not replace reading the ingredient list, serving size and Nutrition Facts panel.

Ask what a claim actually tells you

A package may describe one feature while saying little about the rest of the product. A product can contain a promoted ingredient and still be high in added sugar, sodium or saturated fat. A short ingredient list may be useful, but length alone does not decide whether a food fits your needs.

Build a comparison habit

Compare similar products using serving size, first ingredients, added sugars, sodium, protein, fiber, allergy information and price. HealthLogic makes label information easier to understand. It does not certify a product as safe for everyone or replace qualified medical or nutrition advice.

Primary source: FDA: How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label.

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