USDA Label Definitions
FAT
• Fat-free less than 0.5 g fat per serving, might have 0.499
• Low-fat 3 g or less per serving (how much do you eat?)
• Reduced or less fat 25% or less per serving than regular product
• “Lean” meat 10% or less fat BY WEIGHT, NOT CALORIES
CHOLESTEROL
• Cholesterol free less than 2 mg, but can still be high in fat!
• Low cholesterol 20 mg or less of cholesterol per serving
CALORIES
• Calorie free fewer than 5 calories per serving
• Low calorie 40 calories or less per serving
• Reduced calorie 25% or less calories per serving than regular product. Not necessarily a low calorie product.
SUGAR
• Sugar free less than 0.5 g per serving
• No added sugar No sugar added during processing or packing, including ingredients that contain sugars (i.e., fruit juice, applesauce).
SODIUM
• Sodium free less than 5 mg per serving
• Very low sodium 35 mg or less per serving
• Low sodium 140 mg or less per serving
• Reduced sodium 25 % less sodium per serving than original product
FIBER
• High fiber 5 g or more per serving
• Good source of fiber At least 2.5 g fiber per serving
MISCELLANEOUS
Light, lite, lightly can refer to color, calories, sodium or fat
Diabetic may be lower than regular product in fat, sugar or sodium
Natural may not contain artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
Organic Must contain at least 95% organic ingredients