 | | | | Medical Health Encyclopedia | | For further information on specific health claims refer to the information on diet and health. INGREDIENTS Food manufacturers are required to list ingredients in descending order by weight, from the most to the least. People with food sensitivities can obtain useful information from the ingredient list on the label. Text Continues Below
The ingredient list will include, when appropriate: - FDA-approved color additives
- Sources of protein hydrolysates
- Caseinate as a milk derivative in foods that claim to be nondairy (such as coffee whiteners)
Most manufacturers offer a toll-free number to answer questions about specific food products and their ingredients. FOODS EXEMPT FROM FOOD LABELING Many foods do not have information on them. Some foods are exempt from food labeling. These include: - Restaurant foods
- Hospital cafeterias
- Airline foods
- Food service vendors (such as mall cookie vendors, sidewalk vendors, and vending machines)
- Ready-to-eat food prepared primarily on the site
- Bulk food that is not resold
- Food produced by small businesses
- Medical foods
- Plain coffee and tea
- Flavor extracts
- Food colors
- Spices
- Other foods that contain no significant amounts of any nutrients
Stores may voluntarily list nutrients for many raw foods. The 20 most commonly eaten raw fruits and vegetables and seafood will display nutrition information in the store. Nutrition labeling for single-ingredient raw products, such as ground beef and chicken breasts, is also voluntary. A toll-free consumer hot line of the American Dietetics Association National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics is available to answer questions on the new food Labels. They operate between 10 AM and 5 PM Eastern time, Monday through Friday. The number is 1-800-366-1655. |
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