Organic

Label Language


Organic	This term is strictly regulated by the government. “Farmers or producers have to go through a lot of verification to get the Organic label” explains Urvashi Rangan, senior scientist & policy analyst at Consumer reports. 1 exception: Fish; wild fish haven’t been eligible to be certified organic because it’s too hard to control the ocean environment.
Natural	Unlike with “Organic”, companies wanting to call a product “natural” don’t have to go through a verification process to use the term. Partially hydrogenated oils & high fructose corn syrup could be in a product that is `natural’ High fructose is not acquired by just squeezing it out of the corn – it’s chemically processed dextrose, derived from corn.
Fresh	Poultry labeled “Fresh” can be stored at 26 degrees, its freezing point. Much debate here in regards on how truly Fresh really is.
Hormone Free	All poultry is free of hormones by law. “Hormones haven’t been allowed in poultry or pork since 1959, yet consumers still think this label “significant” Look for antibiotic – free (certain antibiotics r sometimes used as growth promoters.
Country of Origin	There r gray areas, ex. Processed foods that contain ingredients from abroad don’t have to indicate country of origin
Free Range	This label carries little weight with poultry. “Fryer chickens live for 6 to 8 weeks, But 5 of those weeks they stay indoors (young & vulnerable).
Grass fed	As of November 2007 this voluntary label is regulated by the US Dept. of Agriculture for beef & lamb. The best way to make sure the label reflects regulations – that the animal has access to pasture & wasn’t fed grain, among other criteria – is to look for “USDA Processed Verified” & “US Grass Fed” on the package. Producers who used their own criteria for grass fed before 2007 r grandfathered in, even if their products don’t meet the current standards.
Trans Fat Free	When a product contains partially hydrogenated oils, it has trans fats, even if it bears the “trans fat free” label. The explanation for this is a product can be called trans fat free if it contains .5 a gram or less. Note: If u consume more than a single serving, u ingest more than .5 gram. Reading the label is a good thing.
Whole Grain	A product labeled 100% whole grain has twice as much as fiber than marked with made with whole grain.
Healthy	Also a regulated term but comes with some broad definitions. Allow for some elaboration, it allows 480 milligrams of sodium per serving, when our total intake shouldn’t exceed 2,400 milligrams per day. Ingesting a can of hearty soup could make U well reach .5 that intake for the day.


Calories	· "Reduced calorie." At least 25 percent fewer calories than the regular version. · "Light" (in calories). One-third of the calories of the regular version. · "Low calorie." 40 calories or less per serving.
Fats	· "Reduced fat." At least 25 percent less fat than the regular version. · "Light" (in fat). Half the fat of the regular version. · "Low fat." 3 grams of fat or less per serving.
Sodium	"Sodium free" or "Salt free" Less than 5 milligrams per serving "Very low sodium" 35 milligrams or less per serving "Low sodium" 140 milligrams or less per serving "Low sodium meal" 140 milligrams or less per 3 1/2 ounces "Reduced" or "Less" At least 25% less sodium than regular sodium version "Light in sodium" Half the sodium of the regular version "Unsalted" or "No salt added to the product" · no salt added during processing

Minimum Risk Pesticides: Prohibited Label Language

Though minimum risk pesticides are exempt from federal registration, there are requirements regarding label content, including prohibitions against certain label claims. Pesticides that qualify for federal exemption must bear a label identifying the name and percentage (by weight) of each active ingredient and the name of each inert ingredient. Because misleading marketing claims can lead to increased risks to public health, the following specific types of language are prohibited:

In general, minimum risk pesticides are barred from making public health or antimicrobial pesticidal claims. Therefore: products may not bear any claims to control or mitigate bacteria or viruses that pose a threat to human health, and product labels may not make claims to repel rodent or insect pests in a way that links the pest to specific diseases. Some examples of this type of prohibited label language are: "repels ticks that carry Lyme disease" or "repels mosquitoes that can transmit malaria or encephalitis." Examples of acceptable label claims include “repels ticks” or “repels mosquitoes." The product must not include any false or misleading labeling statements: concerning the composition of the product

Example: failure to identify active ingredient (s) by name and percentage by weight and each inert ingredient by name; involving comparisons with other pesticides

Example: "Works better than Product X." Label claims regarding the effectiveness of pesticide products may only be made after EPA has reviewed efficacy data on the products. Since minimum risk pesticides are not registered by EPA, there is no mechanism for the Agency to review such data. Therefore, all comparisons and other efficacy-based claims are prohibited; concerning the value of the product for purposes other than as a pesticide, since pesticide product labels may not refer to nonpesticidal uses.

Example: "Kills weeds and also removes lime from automatic drip coffee machines"; directly or indirectly implying that the pesticide is recommended or endorsed by any agency of the federal government

Example: “Recommended by EPA as safe and exempt.” This kind of statement leads the consumer to believe that the federal government has made such a determination for a particular product. Because exempted products are not reviewed by EPA, this kind of statement is misleading;

Example: “It is a Violation of Federal Law to Use this Product in a Manner Inconsistent with its Labeling.” This statement is required on federally registered pesticide products. It is misleading on minimum risk pesticide labels because it hints at federal registration though 25(b) pesticides are exempt;

Example: “EPA Registration No.” or “EPA Establishment No.” These two examples are also false or misleading because they imply that the product is registered by EPA.

An example of a statement that the Agency would likely consider acceptable would be: “This product has not been registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. [The name of the company] represents that this product qualifies for exemption from registration under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

Source of reference: USA Weekend Oct. 3-5 2008, http://www.infinitewellnesssolutions.com/images/posters/ES_Poster5.pdf, http://health.yahoo.com/experts/nutrition/13598/food-label-language-defined/, http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/regtools/25b/25b-language.htm,