When grocery shopping, it is important to understand what the food labels mean. One of the most common labels seen is “healthy,” but what does it actually mean? The answer depends on the country and the type of food.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has specific criteria for labeling a food as “healthy.”
To qualify, a food must contain less than 3 grams of total fat, 1 gram or less of saturated fat, and no more than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. It must also contain at least 10 percent of two or more of these nutrients: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Protein or Fiber. In addition, sodium levels must be below 480 milligrams per serving.
In Europe, the rules are slightly different. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) requires that any product labeled “healthy” must not only meet certain nutrient requirements but also contain no more than 2 grams of sugar per 100 grams and no more than 1.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams.
Regardless of where you live, it is important to read the nutrition facts label on all foods to ensure that you are making healthy choices for your body. While a product may be labeled “healthy,” it may still contain unhealthy ingredients such as added sugars and trans fats.
Conclusion:
What does healthy on a food label mean? Generally speaking, in order for a food to be labeled as healthy in either the United States or Europe it must meet certain nutrient requirements and have low levels of sugar, saturated fat and trans fats.
However, it is important to read the nutrition facts label on all foods in order to make sure that you are making healthy choices for your body.