Label Lingo: How to Decipher Commonly Used Phrases on Food Labels
In partnership with: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
How well do you know what the labels on your food really mean? The food labeling process has changed significantly over the past few decades as farmers and manufacturers navigate new government regulations and consumer interests. With so many seemingly similar terms out there like “all-natural,” “organic,” “non-GMO” and more, it’s easy to get confused by the claims made on food packaging.
In Michigan, the Food and Dairy Division of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is responsible for assuring that food sold in the state is labeled correctly. Take a look at the following terms to learn more about the meanings behind some of the most common food labels found in grocery stores:
No Added Sugar
Added sugars are those added during the processing of foods. They do not include the naturally occurring sugars found in products like fresh fruit and milk. Products with this label contain no forms of sugar that have been added to sweeten the taste, including table sugar, honey and syrups, to name a few.
See more: Do You Think Nutrition Labels on Food Are Confusing?
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