| Food manufacturers have to meet specific requirements based on Food and Drug Administration guidelines if they want to use terms such as “light,” “lean,” and “low-fat” on their food labels. Once you understand what these terms mean, you’ll be able to make smarter choices at the supermarket. So keep this list on hand for easy reference. |
| Sugar |
No Added Sugar, Without Added Sugar,
No Sugar Added: This does not mean the same thing as “sugar free.” A label bearing these words means that no sugars were added during processing, or that processing does not increase the sugar content above the amount the ingredients naturally contain. Consult the nutrition information panel to see the total amount of sugar in this product.
Reduced Sugar: At least 25% less sugar per serving than the regular product.
Sugar Free: Less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. |
| Calories |
Calorie Free: Fewer than 5 calories per serving. Low Calorie: 40 calories or less per serving. (If servings are smaller than 30 grams, or smaller than 2 tablespoons, this means 40 calories or less per 50 grams of food.)
Reduced Calorie, Fewer Calories: At least 25% fewer calories per serving than the regular product. |
| Fat |
Fat Free, Nonfat: Less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving.
Low Fat: 3 grams or less of fat per serving. (If servings are smaller than 30 grams, or smaller than 2 tablespoons, this means 3 grams or less of fat per 50 grams of food.)
Reduced Fat, Less Fat: At least 25% less fat per serving than the regular product. |
| Cholesterol |
Cholesterol Free: Less than 2 milligrams of cholesterol, and 2 grams or less of saturated fat per serving.
Low Cholesterol: 20 milligrams or less of cholesterol, and 2 grams or less of saturated fat per serving.
Reduced Cholesterol, Less Cholesterol: At least 25% less cholesterol, and 2 grams or less of saturated fat per serving
than the regular product. |
| Sodium |
Sodium Free: Less than 5 milligrams of sodium per serving.
Low Sodium: 140 milligrams or less of sodium per serving.
Very Low Sodium: 35 milligrams or less of sodium per serving.
Reduced Sodium, Less Sodium: At least 25% less sodium per serving than the regular product. |
| Light or Lite Foods |
Light or Lite: Foods that are labeled such are usually either lower in fat or lower in calories than the regular product. Some products
may also be lower in sodium. Check the nutrition information label on the back of the product to make sure. |
| Meat and Poultry |
Lean: Less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat, and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per serving and per 100 grams.
Extra Lean: Less than 5 grams of fat, less than 2 grams of saturated
fat, and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per serving and per 100 grams. |