The Basics Of Health And Nutrition Labels

Food is any material consumed in order to provide nutrition to an organism for its proper growth and maintenance. Food is generally of animal, plant or even fungal origin, and is made up of essential nutrients, including vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals. The primary requirement of the human body is that of food which can be obtained from the four food groups (protein, carbohydrate, fat, and mineral) and is combined with the proper amount of water and other liquids. There are several food groups that constitute the diet of humans, each having its own requirements on the other. Thus, it is important to have a proper intake of food in order to keep the body healthy. A diet rich in vitamin B, for instance, is needed by the body to assimilate calcium for bone development and strength; whereas, carbohydrates are used by the body for energy, and fats are important sources of cellular energy.

The modern agricultural system has introduced several food additives which are used to make foods more palatable and appetizing to the taste buds. However, overuse of these additives leads to undesirable effects, such as excessive acidity in the stomach and the weakening of the body’s digestive system due to the excess consumption of food that is highly acidic. It is therefore important to carefully read the food label before buying any food. The food additives mentioned here are examples of artificial food additives which may cause undesired reactions to certain people, especially those with sensitive digestive systems.

Food nutrition information panel is a visual label placed over the food products to indicate the nutrition information and other health claims about them. These nutritional claims must meet the FDA’s dietary guidelines, and the nutrition information panel of the food package must carry the address of the FDA rather than the name of the manufacturer. All food containers must clearly state if they are food products that are packaged in plastic or glass, and if they contain a preservative like sodium benzoate, the amount that is present. Due to this, food labels must meet the strict requirements that the FDA has set down for food safety.