Nutrition Label Accuracy

Are the Nutrition Facts reported correctly?

According to a 1996 FDA spot check, nutrition labels had an overall rate of 92% correct. However, please don't take that to mean that each item sampled had exactly the amounts of nutrients specified on the label. The labels were correct according to the regulations, which is not the same thing.

What is correct "according to the regulations?"

As we explain in the sections on how the values are determined, there is a considerable amount of variability in food products. In a compromise between the difficulty of producing precisely-controlled foods and protecting consumers, nutrients are divided into two groups. "Good" nutrients consisted of: "vitamin, mineral, protein, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, other carbohydrate, polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat, or potassium" and must be present in at least 80% of the label value in every unit tested. However, the amounts may exceed the label value by a "reasonable" amount. Conversely, "bad" nutrients: calories, sugars, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, or sodium must be present in no more than 120% of the label value but may be less than the label value by a "reasonable" amount.

A product could have a lot more so-called "good" nutrients (like carbs) than the label reports?

Since the purpose of our current nutrition label legislation is to help consumers cut fat out of their diets, carbs are considered a valuable nutrient. So the law was written to make sure that the consumer received no less than 80% of what s/he bought. It was assumed that manufacturers would be more than willing to report as many "good" nutrients as they were capable of delivering.

This is a particularly important issue for diets that are contrary to the current guidelines. Anyone who needs to strictly limit a "good" nutrient, or consume a minimum amount of a "bad" nutrient, should be very cautious because one manufacturer's "reasonable amount" could be someone else's poison.

Are there many labels with errors?

If you want to have some idea of the magnitude of some label-error problems, look at one of the websites that warn kosher consumers of label errors. Aside from the safety and unlisted-allergen reports they disseminate as a public service, you can see numerous cases of errors and misuse of the trademarked certifying symbols that kosher consumers depend upon to know if a food is acceptable. Clearly, the number of errors is significant.

What happens when labels are wrong?

The FDA has the ability to require a recall. This is a drastic action and is rarely invoked unless the problem is life-threatening. In the case of nutrition labels, manufacturers are responsible for the accuracy of the nutrition label values on their products. The FDA merely spot-checks accuracy. If errors are found, the FDA "works with" the company to resolve the problem. Old labels are usually permitted to be used until supplies are used up, even if they do not meet current standards or otherwise contain mistakes. Manufacturers could be required to affix a sticker with corrected information. How many stickers have you seen?

Are there any other sources of inaccuracy on nutrition labels?

Labels have serving sizes as required by law and indicate the number of servings contained in the package. However, selling underweight packages violates the oldest consumer protection laws. Many manufacturers deliberately overfill their packages to avoid the risk that their filling equipment may not be precise or that the product might dry out or otherwise not measure up. As a result, packages often contain more food than the nutrition label indicates.