Food Labels and Health Claims

by Vocafy Verificato

Inglese (USA) B2 12 domande Food & drink Health

Explore everyday U.S. food labels and discover what common health claims do—and do not—tell you.

1. 1. Scegli la risposta corretta.

   How do the calories in the whole packet compare with the listed amount?

   A snack packet contains two servings. Its calorie information is listed per serving.

   • The whole packet contains the listed amount.
   • The whole packet contains twice the listed amount.
   • The whole packet contains half the listed amount.

   The listed amount applies to only one serving.

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   • The whole packet contains twice the listed amount.

   Nutrition information may describe only part of a package. A serving size reflects an amount people typically consume, not a recommendation.

2. 2. Scegli la risposta corretta.

   Why is oats listed first?

   A cereal's ingredient list begins with oats, followed by sugar and almonds.

   • Oats contributes the most weight among the ingredients.
   • Oats contributes the most calories among the ingredients.
   • Oats is considered the healthiest ingredient.

   Ingredient order describes quantity, not nutritional quality.

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   • Oats contributes the most weight among the ingredients.

   Ingredients are generally listed in decreasing order by weight when the food is made. The first ingredient does not necessarily supply the most calories.

3. 3. Scegli la risposta corretta.

   What can still be true about these raisins?

   A box of plain raisins carries the claim 'no added sugar.'

   • They contain no sugars of any kind.
   • Their natural sugars were removed during drying.
   • They contain sugars naturally present in grapes.

   Think about the difference between sugar already in fruit and sugar added during processing.

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   • They contain sugars naturally present in grapes.

   The 'Total Sugars' figure includes naturally occurring and added sugars. A product can have no added sugar while still containing substantial total sugar.

4. 4. Scegli la risposta corretta.

   What does this claim establish?

   A package of crackers is labeled 'gluten free.'

   • The crackers contain no starch.
   • The crackers meet the labeling requirements for gluten.
   • The crackers contain less sugar than regular crackers.

   The claim concerns a particular group of proteins, not all carbohydrates.

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   • The crackers meet the labeling requirements for gluten.

   Gluten-free crackers can contain starch from ingredients such as rice or corn. The claim does not establish their sugar or calorie content.

5. 5. Scegli la risposta corretta.

   What does 'multigrain' tell you?

   A loaf of bread is labeled 'multigrain,' but the front label does not mention whole grains.

   • It contains more than one type of grain.
   • Every grain in it is a whole grain.
   • It contains more fiber than every single-grain bread.

   The first part of the word refers to variety.

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   • It contains more than one type of grain.

   Multigrain bread can contain refined grains. Whole grains retain all parts of the grain, including the fiber-rich outer layer.

6. 6. Scegli la risposta corretta.

   What does organic certification establish?

   A bag of apples is certified organic under U.S. standards.

   • The apples contain more vitamins than nonorganic apples.
   • No pest-control substances of any kind were used.
   • The apples meet specified farming and production rules.

   Certification concerns how the food is produced.

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   • The apples meet specified farming and production rules.

   Organic standards restrict farming methods and substances, but some approved pest-control substances are allowed. Certification is not a guarantee of higher vitamin content.

7. 7. Completa lo spazio vuoto.

   Using the same weight of sea salt instead of table salt generally provides a ___ amount of sodium.

   • much smaller
   • similar
   • much larger

   Both types consist mainly of sodium chloride.

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   Using the same weight of sea salt instead of table salt generally provides a similar amount of sodium.

   Crystal size can affect how much salt fits in a teaspoon. Comparing equal weights avoids that difference.

8. 8. Scegli la risposta corretta.

   What is the reduction measured against?

   A can of soup carries the claim 'reduced sodium.'

   • The sodium content of a specified reference version of the food.
   • The buyer's personal daily sodium needs.
   • The total weight of all ingredients in the soup.

   A reduction requires a comparison with another version.

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   • The sodium content of a specified reference version of the food.

   'Reduced sodium' is a relative claim. A product can contain less sodium than its reference food without qualifying as 'low sodium.'

9. 9. Scegli la risposta corretta.

   What does this label mean about caffeine?

   A bag of coffee is labeled 'decaffeinated.'

   • All caffeine has been removed.
   • The beans naturally contained no caffeine, so none was removed.
   • Most caffeine has been removed, but a small amount may remain.

   Removing most of a substance does not always eliminate it completely.

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   • Most caffeine has been removed, but a small amount may remain.

   The caffeine remaining in a cup of decaf can vary with the coffee and how it is brewed.

10. 10. Scegli la risposta corretta.

    Which statement can still be true?

    A plant-based spread is labeled 'cholesterol free.' Its ingredients include coconut oil.

    • It contains cholesterol supplied by the coconut oil.
    • It contains saturated fat.
    • It contains no dietary fat.

    Cholesterol and saturated fat are not the same substance.

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    • It contains saturated fat.

    Plant oils do not supply dietary cholesterol, but their fat composition varies. Coconut oil is rich in saturated fat.

11. 11. Completa lo spazio vuoto.

    On a Nutrition Facts label, a nutrient's percent Daily Value compares the amount in one serving with a ___.

    • standard daily reference amount
    • personal requirement calculated for the buyer
    • measurement of the package's total weight

    The label uses a shared reference rather than a personal calculation.

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    On a Nutrition Facts label, a nutrient's percent Daily Value compares the amount in one serving with a standard daily reference amount.

    Percent Daily Value puts different products on a shared scale for comparison. Individual nutrient needs may differ from that reference.

12. 12. Scegli la risposta corretta.

    What does this wording claim?

    A drink's label says its vitamin C 'supports normal immune function.'

    • The drink is guaranteed to prevent infections.
    • The nutrient contributes to a normal body function.
    • The drink is approved as a treatment for illness.

    Supporting a normal function is different from preventing or treating disease.

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    • The nutrient contributes to a normal body function.

    A nutrient can be necessary for normal function without extra amounts improving that function. This wording does not establish a benefit from consuming more.