A recent study appeared in the January issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association stating that commercially prepared food may contain 20% more calories than posted on the food label.
The goal of the study, conducted by Tufts University researchers, was to examine the accuracy of the stated calories of foods selected for weight loss and sold in stores and restaurant chains across the United States. The researchers found that calories listed on 29 restaurant food labels contained 18% more calories than posted and frozen meals contained 8% more calories than listed on the label.
Why, the study revealed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows up to 20% excess energy content but weight must be no less than 99% of the stated value. This might lead manufactures to add more food per package to insure compliance with the standards.
As health conscience consumers the only way to deal with this discrepancy in food labeling is to avoid processed food all together.
A recent study appeared in the January issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association stating that commercially prepared food may contain 20% more calories than posted on the food label.
The goal of the study, conducted by Tufts University researchers, was to examine the accuracy of the stated calories of foods selected for weight loss and sold in stores and restaurant chains across the United States. The researchers found that calories listed on 29 restaurant food labels contained 18% more calories than posted and frozen meals contained 8% more calories than listed on the label.
Why, the study revealed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows up to 20% excess energy content but weight must be no less than 99% of the stated value. This might lead manufactures to add more food per package to insure compliance with the standards.
As health conscience consumers the only way to deal with this discrepancy in food labeling is to avoid processed food all together.
A recent study appeared in the January issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association stating that commercially prepared food may contain 20% more calories than posted on the food label.
The goal of the study, conducted by Tufts University researchers, was to examine the accuracy of the stated calories of foods selected for weight loss and sold in stores and restaurant chains across the United States. The researchers found that calories listed on 29 restaurant food labels contained 18% more calories than posted and frozen meals contained 8% more calories than listed on the label.
Why, the study revealed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows up to 20% excess energy content but weight must be no less than 99% of the stated value. This might lead manufactures to add more food per package to insure compliance with the standards.
As health conscience consumers the only way to deal with this discrepancy in food labeling is to avoid processed food all together.
