Esta página no está disponible en Español

CE Pricing / Flex Credit

Save with tiered CE Pricing
Starts at $9.98 per contact hour
Min. Hours $$/Hr
4 hours $8.98
8 hours $7.98
12 hours $6.98
20 hours $5.98
30 hours $4.98

Food Labels-Deciphering The Mysteries

1.5 Contact Hours / 0.15 AOTA CEUs
Target Audience: Nurses, healthcare professionals, and interested individuals
Purpose/Goal: The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe how to read a Nutrition Fact label; explain food claims in terms of nutritional value; define what "organic" means; examine the four organic principles; and identify various food labels in terms of their significance to food products.
$14.97
Add to Cart

An important element of health is the ability to understand what is in the food we eat. Knowing how to read and understand food labels can help individuals make healthier food choices. Many consumers do not fully understand what the labels on their food means in terms of nutritional value or the way the food was produced, raised, and manufactured. With this knowledge, understanding the labels becomes easier and results in making healthy choices.

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to do the following:

  • Describe how to read a Nutrition Fact label.
  • Explain what food claims mean in terms of nutritional value.
  • Define what organic means.
  • Explain the four organic principles.
  • Identify various food labels and their significance to food products.

“The ingredient list is the most important piece of text on a product’s packaging because it shows, in descending order by weight, everything you are about to put into your body” (Stone, 2011, p. 43). Understanding what’s in the foods we buy is the key to stocking a nutritious kitchen and buying food that has been raised in ways that are sustainable, socially just, and environmentally responsible. Knowing how to read and understand food labels can help individuals make healthier food choices. But are labels truthful? What does juice from concentrate or multigrain bread or organic mean? Can food labels be manipulated? The answer to these questions is this: “It depends.”

At least half of all consumers understood food labels “in part,” while only 2 of 10 people said they consistently read or paid any attention to them (Zelman, 2014). The regulations behind food labeling are complex. Many consider this a deliberate action so food manufacturers can use “misleading” information to convince people to buy their products (Bjarnadottir, 2015).

The secret to deciphering food labels is knowing what to look for. With this knowledge, understanding the labels and making healthy choices becomes easier.

THE BASICS

The most common and well-known food label is the Nutrition Facts label found on most foods. This label is required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on most packaged foods and beverages. It provides detailed information about a food’s nutrient content, especially about calories, fat, sodium, sugar, and fiber.

There are many other types of labels used on foods that also supply important information about how the food was planted, manufactured, harvested, and handled. Knowing how to read food labels is an extremely important part of staying healthy and is especially critical if an individual has a health condition, such as hypertension or kidney disease, that requires a special diet in which certain ingredients need to be restricted (Mayo Clinic, 2012). Knowing how food was planted, harvested, or manufactured is also vital if an individual is concerned about ecological, social, environmental, and humanitarian issues.

Complete the course post exam (CE Test) with a score of 80% or greater. Complete all fields of the course evaluation form. Certificate of Completion is provided once the course post exam is passed per criteria above.

  • American Board of Managed Care Nursing
    The American Board of Managed Care Nursing recognizes all of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions' ANCC accredited courses for continuing education credit for Certified Managed Care Nurses (CMCNs).
  • ANCC - American Nurses Credentialing Center
    ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
  • AOTA - American Occupational Therapy Association
    ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC, is an approved provider of continuing education for occupational therapists by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Approved Provider # 3166
  • California Board of Behavioral Sciences
    California Board of Behavioral Sciences Provider Number PCE 1564. Course meets the qualifications for the stated hours of continuing education credit for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
  • California Board of Registered Nursing
    ALLEGRA Learning Solutions is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider # CEP 14693 for the number of hours stated.
  • California Department of Health, Aid, and Technician Certification Section
    The California Department of Health, Aid, and Technician Certification Section accepts continuing education offered by CA-BRN approved providers.
  • District of Columbia Board of Nursing
    ALLEGRA Learning Solutions (CE Provider # 50-12076) submits all continuing education records to CE BROKER after successful completion.
  • Florida Board of Nursing
    ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing education by the Florida Board of nursing (CE Provider # 50-12076). Courses are automatically submitted to CE Broker.
  • Florida Board of Nursing - Certified Nursing Assistants
    ALLEGRA Learning Solutions (CE Broker Provider # 50-12076) submits all continuing education records to CE Broker after successful completion.
  • Florida Board of Respiratory Care
    ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing education by the Florida Board of Respiratory Care
  • Florida Council of Dietetics and Nutrition
    ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing education by the Florida Council of Dietetitics and Nutrition
  • Florida Council of Licensed Midwifery
    ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing education by the Florida Council of Licensed Midwifery
  • NAADAC - The National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
    This course has been approved by ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #813, ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is responsible for all aspects of their programming.
  • NCBTMB -National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
    ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider. Provider Number 451562-11.
  • Florida Board of Massage Therapists
    ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing education by the Florida Board of Massage Therapists
AOTA CEUs:

0.15

Practice Level:

Introductory

Content Focus:

Foundational Knowledge

Course Expires:

June 01, 2025

Instructor(s):
  • Cyndie Koopsen, RN, BSN, MBA, HNB-BC, RN-BC, HWNC-BC
  • Caroline Young, MPH
Jurisdictional Requirements:

Continuing education (CE) licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction, are not well defined, and may change. These CE requirements may vary in terms of the number of hours required to the types of courses that must be taken. ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC recommends you contact your licensing board or accrediting organization for the latest continuing education requirements of your state or territory. Compliance with CE requirements is the responsibility of the individual health care provider. Health care providers must understand the CE requirements in their jurisdictions, and be sure they are up-to-date on any rule changes that affect their license. For further information, please see our Accreditation Information.

Accommodations for Disabilities:

Every effort will be made to accommodate your special needs. To request accommodations, please contact us.

Conflicts of Interest and Relevant Financial Relationships:

The authors/planning committee members have no conflicts of interests or relevant financial relationships to declare relevant to this activity.

Commercial Support:

No commercial support has been received for this activity.

Non-endorsement of products:

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing nursing education only and does not imply ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC approval or endorsement of any commercial product.

Off-label Use of Products:

None of the authors intend to discuss off-label uses of drugs, mechanical devices, biologics, or diagnostics not approved by the FDA for use in the United States.

Cart

0.0
Hrs