Food labels are very important in today's society. Government food label laws inform shoppers so they can make informed decisions and protect the food industry. Here’s a closer look at ten essential laws regarding food labeling and their relevance for consumers.

Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA)
Passed in 1990, the NLEA mandates that most packaged foods include a Nutrition Facts label. The label provides the calories, serving size, and the nutrients included. The label helps shoppers determine which foods to consume and helps them choose healthier foods. For example, if one cereal box has 12 grams of sugar and another has 4 grams of sugar, it is easy to select the healthier cereal box.

Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA)
Passed in 2004, FALCPA requires that food labels use the proper terms for common allergens, including milk, peanuts, eggs, and wheat. This protects a person with allergies from unintentional consumption of dangerous ingredients. For example, if a parent is considering a cookie, and the label reads, "Contains peanuts," then a parent would know not to buy the cookie for the child who has a peanut allergy.

Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)
This rule requires some foods, or commodities, including meat and vegetables, to identify their source. COOL has changed throughout the years, but it is still important. Many consumers want to know where their food comes from for reasons of food safety as well as freshness. For instance, if a label on a tomato says “Product of USA,” a consumer could decide they want to buy it over ones that do not come from the USA for the sake of supporting domestic farmers.

Organic Certification Standards
The USDA regulates the use of the term “organic” and assures that the products marketed in the US as organic meet strict standards regarding how they are grown and processed. This is useful for consumers who care about clean farming and using fewer chemicals. A shopper looking for clean milk may trust a label labeled “USDA Organic,” As it signifies that the animal was raised and produced the milk with no harmful drugs.

Labeling of Genetically Engineered (GE) Foods
Effective as of 2016, companies must inform if a food product contains bioengineered ingredients, typically using a QR code or label. This law provides transparency for consumers who are concerned about GMOs, allowing for informed purchasing decisions. A shopper buying corn chips may buy items that do not advertise GE ingredients if they care about "clean" food.

Serving size regulations
The FDA oversees serving sizes on nutrition labels to make certain that they reflect typical consumption patterns. Understanding serving sizes will help consumers determine how much they actually eat. If you buy a bag of chips and it says there is one serving of 15 chips, but you eat 45 chips, you are eating three times the amount listed.

Trans fat disclosure
The FDA now requires all labels to show trans fats, and made certain oils illegal in 2015 (because they are unhealthy). Ensure consumers aren't consuming any fats that are unhealthy for their hearts. If you are buying margarine, you may choose the margarine that says "0 grams trans fat" so you can help protect your heart.

Caloric and Nutritional Information for Chain Restaurants
Under the Affordable Care Act, chain restaurants with 20 or more locations are required to provide calorie information on their menus and menu boards. This law helps diners make smarter choices when dining out. For example, a diner could see a burger containing 800 calories, and choose a salad instead, and make a decision that matches their dietary intentions.

Date Labeling Regulations
Some states have laws regarding date labeling or best by/ sell by dates, so consumers are aware of how fresh food is. State expiration date laws also minimize waste and remind potential consumers about their food consumption timeline. If yogurt has “Best by July 5”, they will know that the yogurt is still considered fresh for a week.

Health Claim Regulations
The FDA regulates health claims on a product that are both accurate and validated on a scientific basis. This regulation prevents companies from falsely claiming health benefits. For example, if a cereal is labeled “heart-healthy”, it can only deserve that label if it meets the actual criteria for heart-healthy.

Currently, more consumers are trying to make better choices for their diet and health. Awareness of food labeling laws permits everyone to make informed decisions and keep themselves safe. The laws make shopping easier and promote public health. When consumers read food labels, they make choices about their health and future.

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