Find food labels confusing? Metro Market dietitian explains what labels really mean

LIGHT or LITE = 50% less than standard reference

NO ADDED SUGAR = sugar has not been added as a separate ingredient. Does not mean the product is sugar free

NATURAL = FDA has not developed a definition for the use of the term ‘natural’ or its derivatives. The FDA has not objected to the use of the term if the food does not contain added colors, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances.

 

 

 

 

 

GMO FREE = “GMO free” and similar claims are not legally or scientifically defensible due to limitations of testing methodology.

NON-GMO VERIFIED = 3rd party verification process with 0.9% threshold

GLUTEN FREE =

Food is inherently gluten free (i.e. apple or rice)

Does not contain an ingredient that is a gluten-containing grain or derived from a gluten-containing grain (i.e. rye, barley, wheat, wheat flour, wheat starch, etc.)

Any gluten contained in the product should be less than 20 parts per million