Nutrition labels found to not be accurate (big surprise)
Do you believe the details that are found on the "nutrition facts" labels on the foods you buy? I've been a little skeptical for a while, as manufacturers routinely change "serving size" suggestions on packages to claim that servings (the size of a walnut) have low fat and calories. Who eats meals the size of a walnut?Anyway, a Canadian researcher has discovered that, in fact, nutrition labels are often inaccurate. His research included items like baby biscuits, breakfast waffles, pancake mix and chicken fingers. That's a pretty decent cross section of foods, right?
Canadian law even allows for a 20% discrepancy between reality and facts on nutrition labeling, something I find appalling. 20 percent? That is way over the line (5 percent should be maximum). As always, if you're interested in your own health, proper research into your diet and nutrition is all that will help you. Sounding cynical? I am -- and I'm not even in Canada.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Christina 5-10-2007 @ 8:32PM
How about some personal responsibility?
The information is out there, but you just need to be careful and read labels carefully. I was shopping the other night and saw some cookies. One serving had 90 calories and about 6 grams of fat. And the serving size was ONE cookie!
The portion size was out there, people just need to not be too lazy and expect the label to read itself.
Needless to say, I put those cookies back on the shelf.
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Ryan Singer 5-16-2007 @ 6:41PM
Personal responsibility? You're joking, right? It clearly says in the article that they're allowed a 20%(!!!!!) discrepancy between what the label says, and what you're actually getting.
To put that in perspective... They could put "500 calories per serving" on a frozen dinner, when it actually gives you 600.
There's nothing I can do about that. The label is misleading, and that's all there is to it.
For goodness sakes, read the article before you make a comment.
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