Choosing Between 'Low Fat' and 'Reduced Fat'

By:   Jean Carper

About 60% of us check nutrition labels on food packages. But confusing terms can derail your efforts to be a smart eater. Here's how the FDA defines some common terms:

Fat

• Fat-free:Less than 0.5g fat per serving
• Low saturated fat:1g or less per serving
• Low fat:3g or less per serving
• Reduced fat:At least 25% less fat than regular version
• Light in fat:Half the fat (or less) of regular version

Sodium

• Sodium-free or salt-free:Less than 5mg sodium per serving
  Very low sodium:35mg or less per serving
  
• Low sodium:140mg or less per serving
• Low-sodium meal:140mg or less per serving
• Reduced or less sodium:At least 25% less sodium than regular version
• Light in sodium:At least 50% less sodium than regular version
• Unsalted or no salt added:No salt added during processing

Copyright 2004 Jean Carper. Printed first in USA Weekend. All rights reserved.

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