Reading product labels can help you make informed decisions about the food and beverages you consume, as well as the cleaning and personal care products you use. Here is a breakdown of the information you can find on product labels:

Food and Beverage Labels:

• Product Date: The label information is usually based on one serving of the food or beverage. However, if the container has more than one serving but typically might be consumed in one sitting, the label will have two additional columns. The first of these columns lists the calories and nutrients in one serving. The second lists that same information for the entire container.

• Ingredient List: The ingredients in packaged food and beverage items are listed separately from (and often below) the Nutrition Facts label. This information lists each ingredient in the product by its common or usual name, and in descending order by weight. That is, the ingredient that weighs the most is listed first, and the ingredient that weighs the least is listed last. Be on the lookout for terms that indicate added sugar, such as brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, and high-fructose corn syrup. Artificial sweeteners such as sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, and acesulfame should also be consumed in moderation.

• Nutrition Facts: The Nutrition Facts label provides information on 7 nutrients: energy (in kilojoules), protein, total fat, saturated fat, total carbohydrates, sugars, and sodium. Other nutrients such as fiber, potassium, calcium, and iron may be listed in some cases. Using the per 100g or per 100mL column of the nutrition information panel on food packages is the best way to compare similar products. If an ingredient makes up less than 5% of the food, it does not have to be listed. Likewise, any compound ingredients that make up less than 5% of the product can just be listed as the compound ingredient rather than all of its own ingredients.

Cleaning and Personal Care Product Labels:

• Directions: This section provides instructions on how to use the product safely and effectively.

• Caution Warnings: This section lists any hazards associated with the product, such as flammability or toxicity.

• Ingredients: This section lists the ingredients in the product, usually in descending order by weight. Some ingredients may be listed under several different names.

• Storage and Disposal: This section provides information on how to store and dispose of the product safely.

Additional Resources:

• Yuka App: Yuka is a free mobile app that allows you to scan the barcodes of food and personal care products and instantly see their impact on your health. The app provides a rating and detailed information to help you understand the analysis of each product. When a product has a negative impact on your health, Yuka also recommends similar but healthier alternative products.

In summary, product labels provide important information about the ingredients, nutritional content, and safe use of the products we consume and use. By understanding how to read and interpret these labels, we can make informed decisions that support our health and well-being.