Learn When the Label is a Lie

You must be going to the grocery shop every weekend? But have you ever looked at the labels on the food products you are buying? Or even if you noticed some, do you even know what these labels mean?

If you don't, it's not your fault. Food labeling has become complex and complex every other day making it hard to understand. From free-range to grass-fed and pasture-raised, there are tons of labels which you can find on food products.

But don't worry, we will tell you all you need to know about those labels; which ones are regulated by the government, and which ones are just marketing fluff.

Yes, there are certain labels and marketing claims which are actually regulated by the government like fresh, organic, non-GMO, pasture-raised, and cage-free. While there are some front labels which are only there to lure you into purchasing that product like natural, homemade, healthy, or wholesome.

In this lesson, we are going to tell all about those labels, so next time when you see a product at the supermarket with a big label on it, you know what that label means, and if it is worth buying for your health or not?

Organic

A food produced using cultural, and biological practices which support ecological balance and cycling of on-farm resources without the use of most pesticides and instead use natural and some synthetic pesticides. Organic poultry indicates that the eggs and meat are raised without any antibiotics or growth hormones.

All-natural or natural

Well, entering the supermarket, one thing you want to look out for is "natural" products. And you can find plenty of them on various shelves. But truth be told, more than half of those products are wrongly claimed. Manufacturers can claim anything natural they want. From natural cookies to all-natural marshmallows.

Fresh

Well, fresh means fresh- A product in its raw state and never frozen or preserved in any form. You can find many fresh products on supermarket shelves, but unfortunately a lot o companies end up misusing the term.

Non-GMO

A law was passed in 2016, that the food manufacturer will disclose genetically modified ingredients in their products. So, the consumers concerned about GMOs can purchase products with non-GMO labels. The food products which have that label are made up of non-GMO ingredients. Keep in mind that only some crops use GMO's such as soybeans, canola, alfalfa and corn.

Cage Free

You may have seen this label on eggs whether these hens are cage-free they are still in close quarters with other hens, just not in cages. Cage free just means they have at least one square foot of roaming space. And their diet isn't regulated.

Free Range

This is a USDA-regulated term, which you have often seen on meat and other poultry products. This term is used for the animal which has free access to the outdoors, but in most cases, it is not assured if the animal actually went outdoors or not as whether the door is open or closed is not regulated.

Pasture-raised

This label is often seen on eggs, meat and other poultry. It means that the animal which has been given these products has mostly grazed all year but they still have given some grain to supplement their diet.

Farmed

Most of the seafood and fish you eat today are farmed. This label means that the animal is raised in controlled factories in tanks within their habitats.

Wild Caught

This label is used to describe the seafood and fish which are caught in the wild, old-fashioned way. By using hooks and nets in their natural habitats.

Grass-fed

All cows are fed on grass. But this label implies that the cow has only been fed on the grass throughout its whole life.

No added hormones

Non-added hormones label indicates that the animal does not have any kind of hormone in its whole life. What's interesting is that companies will use this label when it's not needed. For example all poultry must be raised without hormones.

Non Toxic

This label claims that the product you are looking at has not been linked to any adverse health effects. But this label is among those tons of labels which are just buzzwords. Any product no matter what's inside can use this label.

Nutritious, wholesome or healthful

Supermarket shelves are full of drinks and foods that claim to be wholesome, healthful and nutritious. These are not just words but big market scams. Yes, as the FDA regulates the word "healthy", some brands come up with these three words just to trick you into buying those products. So don't get into the trap of wholesome pasta, or healthful cookies.

Here's what the latest science says:

Plenty of labels out there, but what is good for you to choose? Well, among all those, pasture-raised, grass-fed and free-range products may provide some extra health benefits than others but they also may require some more money to buy. Let's take a look at what science says about these labels.

• Pasture-raised Is a Better Option: According to researchers at Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, the eggs obtained from the pastured hen are healthier as they contain more omega-3 fats and a higher level of vitamins including A, and E. Not only this, but Another study published in nutrition also stated that pasture-raised chickens laid eggs with higher levels of vitamin D.

• Go for grass-fed when you can: According to a  study review meat that comes from grass-fed cows is higher in omega-3 fatty acids and lower in total fats.

• Look out for free-range: Free-range poultry are better as these animals have more exposure to sunlight and are more active. Which results in healthier meat and eggs for consumers. According to a study, free-range chickens are more active and productive as compared to those who don't venture out.

Now that you know all about labels; what are the facts and what are scams, you can use your critical thinking skills next time when you are in the supermarket looking for a natural and healthy product for yourself.