Consuming
Thoughts
Fay Strickler
Penn State Extension
Home Economist
For Berks Co.
STOP, LOOK and READ the optional,
new food labels! May 1994 was Nutrients that are now required
the deadline for food companies to include total calories, calories
comply with the new regulations from fat, .total fat, saturated fat,
by the Foods and Drug Adminis- cholesterol, sodium, total car
nation (FDA) and the United bohydrates, dietary fiber, sugars
States Department of Agriculture (mono- and disaccharides), pro
(USDA), requiring the new food tein, vitamins A and C, calcium
label on all processed foods. New and iron. If a manufacturer makes
labels on processed meat and a claim about any voluntary nutri
poultry items. 4 * which are under ent, such as if a product is enrich-
USDA jurisdiction, must appear ed or fortified with thiamin or nia
on products by July 1994. cin, then information about that
When picking up a product with nutrient is mandatory,
the new label, consumers will not- You’ll also be able to find infor
ice the new and comprehensive mation on fat, fiber and other food
nutritional information under a components fundamental to low
section now called “Nutrition ering your risk of chronic dis-
Facts.” This will enable consum- eases. Listings for nutrients like
ers to leant about the nutritional thiamin and riboflavin will no
qualities of the products they buy longer be required, because
and use the information when Americans generally eat enough
making daily food choices. of them these days.
The new label is distinguished According to the former Health
by the redesigned nutrition panel, and Human Services (HHS) Se-
The FDA and USDA considered cretary Louis Sullivan, M.S., the
the health issues of greatest con- new label will provide a consistent
cern to the general public, and tool to help consumers select
identified nutrients that must ap- healthier diets and will give con
pear on the label and those that are sumers the power to take an ac
gj 3&HUDUI
LOOP STALLS
All Loop Stalls Are Coated With Baked
On Top Grade Polyester TGIC Powder
Coating After Fabrication
Super Tough Finish
Protection From Rust &
Corrosion
Superior Electrical Insulation
Loop Stalls Are Constructed Of:
•2 3/8” Outside Diameter High Yield Steel Tubing
With A 12 Gal. (.108) Wall
• Spray Arc Transfer Method Used On Welds
I PAUL B. ZIMMERMAN, INC.
I Call or Write For Hours 295 WOOdCOmer Rd.
Additional Inlormatlon Mon. Thru Frl. LllltZ, PA 17543*9165
And Your 7 to 5 1 Mile West Of EphFßtl
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• Chip Resistant
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FREEDOM
live, responsible role in protecting
and promoting their health.
You can expect to see a full list
ing of “Nutrition Facts” on most
packaged foods. Small packages
may use a simplified format.
Labeling will remain voluntary
for fresh produce, as well as single
ingredient raw meat products
(such as raw chicken breasts or
beef roasts). Many grocery stores
already display point-of-purchase
nutrition facts for these items and
more will be encouraged to parti
cipate. If the voluntary program
for raw foods doesn’t catch on, la
beling for these products will be
come mandatory.
Now you can compare similar
products and know that their serv
ing sizes are basically identical.
So when you realize how much fat
is packed into that carton of triple
chocolate-almond ice cream
you’re eyeing, you might opt for
low-fat frozen yogurt instead.
Serving sizes will also be stan
dardized, so manufacturers can’t
make nutrition claims for unrealis
tically small portions. That means
a chocolate cake, for example,
must be divided into 8 servings
sized to satisfy the average person
not 16 servings sized to satisfy
the average first grader.
So consumers, the next time
you go to the supermarket
STOP. LOOK and READ the
“Nutrition Facts” and see how the
new labels will help you to choose
healthier foods, take the guess
work out of grocery shopping and
help you make more informed de
cisions in the supermarket.
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FARMING'S
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IF IT’S WORTH YOUR INVESTMENT, TRUST IT TO HERSHEY
Where Food Comes From
Third grade students at Public School 214 in Queens
(New York City) are learning about where their food comes
from through Agriculture in the Classroom a program
that incorporates agriculture into the school curriculum in
grades K-6. On a recent visit to New York City, American
Farm Bureau President Dean Kleckner and New York Farm
Bureau President Charles Wille saw firsthand the teaching
about agriculture in a big city school. They were joined by
several school officials, Including the city’s top educator,
Chancellor of Education Ramon Cortlnes. The Farm
Bureau leaders listened as Rhoda Gilbert, a third grade
teacher at PS 214 presented a lesson on agriculture. They
also visited the school garden and viewed agricultural pro
jects of the class. In the photo, AFBF President Dean
Kleckner answers questions about agriculture from PS 214
students.
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255 Plane Tree Drive
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 393-5807
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