Final answer:
Nutrition information on food labels includes calories, total fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, protein, and certain vitamins and minerals. The labels also indicate the percentage of daily values and list the ingredients. This helps consumers make healthier food choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nutrition information required on the food label includes several key components to help consumers make informed choices about their diet. Mandatory information on a nutrition facts label typically involves the following:
- Calories
- Total Fat (including saturated fat and trans fat)
- Cholesterol
- Sodium
- Total Carbohydrates (including dietary fiber and sugars)
- Proteins
- Vitamins and minerals (such as Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium)
In addition to this, the label will list the ingredients of the food, as well as a percentage of the daily values (% DV) for some nutrients based on a 2,000 calorie diet. This enables consumers to understand how much of a nutrient they are consuming in a serving relative to their total daily needs. By analyzing the nutrition facts label, individuals can choose products that are higher in nutrients they need more of, and lower in nutrients they should minimize, such as added sugars and saturated fats. It's also useful to check the ingredients list for items like whole grains, which offer additional nutritional benefits.