What's the Scoop on Foods without Nutrition Labels?

     The vast majority of the foods Americans eat are required by law to have a nutrition label. Some foods however do not. Here are the details on the National Labeling and Education Act:

     Foods that do not require a food label include:

• Food that is served for immediate consumption, such as vending machines, food courts, and hospital cafeterias (although this is likely changing with menu labeling laws)
• Ready-to-eat food that is not for immediate consumption, but is prepared on site, such as bakeries, delis, and candy stores.
• Foods that do not contain a significant amount of nutrients, such as coffee, tea, and some spices.
• Foods for patients with special nutrient needs.
• Food produced by businesses that meet certain criteria may be exempt unless they make a health claim.

      Currently many restaurants do not have nutrition information immediately available but do provide this information upon request, on their website, or elsewhere in the restaurant, such as on the back of the placement in fast food restaurants.    

     If you are curious about the calorie and/or nutrient content of some of the foods you are eating that do not have labels you can use a website such as Calorie King (http://www.calorieking.com/) or make comparisons to other similar foods. Beware, however, that just because two foods are similar does not mean their nutrition content is the same!

Cheers,
Brittney