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USDA Label Definitions
I have compiled this information from USDA label definitions, and I hope you find this useful.
Fat Free
must contain less than 1/2 gram of fat per serving.
Low Fat
must contain less than 1 gram of saturated fat per serving and not more than
15% of calories can derive from saturated fat.
Reduced Fat
must contain 25% less fat than the regular product.
Light
must contain 50% less fat than the regular product.
Low Calorie
means 40 calories or less per 50 grams of the food.
Reduced Calorie
means 25% or less calories per serving than the regular food.
Calorie Free
means less than 5 calories per serving.
Sodium Free
means less than 5 milligrams of sodium per 50 grams of food.
Low Sodium
means less than 140 milligrams of sodium per 50 grams of the food.
Sugarless
means contains no sucrose, but can contain other sugars such as corn syrup,
dextrose, levulose, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, xylitol, or natural sweeteners at
less than 1/2 gram per serving.
Reduced Sugar
means at least 25% less sugar per serving than the regular food.
High Fiber
means 5 grams of fiber or more per serving, plus the food must either meet
low-fat standards or indicate the total fat content next to the high-fiber claim.
Good Source Of Fiber
means 2.5 to 4.9 grams per serving.
No Cholesterol
means the product contains 2 milligrams or less of cholesterol per serving,
but it may contain up to 2 grams of saturated fat - which can raise blood cholesterol.
Low Cholesterol
must contain no more than 20 milligrams of cholesterol and no more than 2 grams
of saturated fat per serving.
Reduced Cholesterol
must contain 75% less cholesterol than the regular product.
2% Or Low-Fat Milk
contains 38% of calories from fat and 4.7 grams of fat per 8-ounce glass.
1% Milk
contains 22% less of calories from fat and 2.5 grams of fat per 8-ounce glass.
Skim Milk
contains 4% of calories from fat and 0.4 grams of fat per 8-ounce glass.