There are so many new food packaging terms that it can be hard to decipher. Each year brings a host of food products and trendy terms and claims to describe them. Too often, however, blurry definitions and vague usage can lead to consumer confusion.
There are food marketing phrases that can help you make healthier choices and others that won’t make much of a difference to your diet. Most people want to make healthier choices, but it can be difficult to figure out which foods are best. If something is labeled natural or whole, it may seem like a healthier choice. Still, any term can be confusing or misleading if you don’t know what it really means.
The American Dietetic Association lists some recent food marketing terms and deciphers their meanings:
NATURAL
According to the Mintel Global New Products Database, “natural” claims were the most common on food and beverage launches in 2008. What does natural mean? Neither the Food and Drug Administration nor the U.S. Department of Agriculture has formally defined it. The FDA holds to its 1993 policy: [FDA] has not objected to the use of the term on food labels provided it is used in a manner that is truthful and not misleading and the product does not contain added color, artificial flavors or synthetic substances. Use of the term “natural” is not permitted in a product’s ingredient list, with the exception of the phrase “natural flavorings.” The USDA is currently defining the conditions under which it will permit “natural” to be used in meat and poultry product labeling, but a final rule may not appear until late this year.
PROCESSED AND UNPROCESSED
These terms are frequently misunderstood. Many people think of “processed” as unhealthy packaged foods with empty calories and loads of additives, and “unprocessed as foods that are not canned, frozen or packaged. Neither of these beliefs is entirely correct. According to a 2008 federal law, “processed” refers to food that has undergone a “change of character.” Examples include raw nuts (unprocessed) vs. roasted nuts (processed); edamame (unprocessed) vs. tofu (processed; a head of spinach (unprocessed) vs. cut, pre-washed spinach (processed).
LOCAL
The local food movement refers to buying food that is grown close to where you live. This movement is connected to a broader philosophy of environmental sustainability and supporting the local economy. Still, even “local” can have a variety of nuances depending upon who you ask.
WHOLE
There is no regulatory definition of whole foods, but it’s a term consumers hear often. “Whole foods” generally refer to foods that are not processed or refined and do not have any added ingredients. By most definitions, whole foods include fresh produce, dairy, whole grains, meat and fish; meaning any food that appears in its most pure form with minimal processing.
ORGANIC
Of all these terms, “organic” has the most specific criteria and legal meaning. As defined by the USDA, organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic plant foods are produced without using most conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. A government-approved certifier must inspect the farm to ensure these standards are met. In addition to organic farming, there are USDA standards for organic handling and processing. There are three levels of organic claims for food:
– 100-percent Organic. Products that are completely organic or made of only organic ingredients qualify for this claim and a USDA Organic seal.
– Organic. Products in which at least 95 percent of its ingredients are organic qualify for this claim and a USDA Organic seal.
– Made with Organic Ingredients. These are food products in which at least 70 percent of ingredients are certified organic. The USDA organic seal cannot be used but “made with organic ingredients” may appear on its packaging.
It is important to know what terms mean and to know what to look for when you’re trying to make positive changes to your diet. The best information on whether a food is healthful can be found on the Nutrition Facts label.
For more information about food marketing terms or food labels, please call Kim Miles, County Extension Agent – Family & Consumer Sciences at 325-646-0386.
