BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera office of the National Nutrition Council (NNC-CAR) urged the public to be aware of the food labelling of various products to ensure that they are taking in the right food needed by their bodies to grow.
The NNC-CAR said that food labels provide information regarding a food product.
The law requires that every food label must display and express in ordinary words the common name of the product, name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor; net contents in terms of weight, measure or count; It may also contain health claims.
The Food and Drug Administration also provided guidelines for the descriptions manufacturers may use in the food labelling to promote their products.
Fat-free should only be used if the product meets the definition of low fat or free fat and must reflect the amount of fat in 100 grams.
Products can be considered as saturated fat-free if there is less than 0.5 gram of saturated fat and 0.5 trans fatty acids per serving.
Products are considered to be low saturated fat if there is 1 gram or less saturated fat per serving.
Products are considered cholesterol-free if there is less than 2 milligram of cholesterol per serving and 2 grams or less saturated fat per serving.
Products can be classified as low cholesterol if they contain 20 milligram or less cholesterol per serving and 2 grams or less saturated fat per serving.
The NNC advised the public to be fully aware of the contents of the products they are purchasing so that they will be fully aware whether or not the same are considered to be healthy and will be helpful in maintaining their healthy diet to avoid contracting life threatening illnesses that might compromise their health condition in the future.
The NNC underscored that a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition will surely contribute in helping people become healthy and productive as they hurdle the challenges of life. By Dexter A. See
