Dual-Column Nutrition Facts Panels

Now Nutrition Facts panels on certain Kraft products have even more information to help you gauge serving sizes, calories and nutrient content of foods.

Two sets of nutrition information within the Nutrition Facts panel may be displayed on certain Kraft products.

Products such as beverages and snacks (such as crackers, cookies and nuts) that contain 2-4 servings, but might be eaten at one time by one person. These packages list information to describe "per serving" and "per entire package."
Products that require preparation before eating such as macaroni and cheese, and stuffing mixes. These packages list 2 columns of nutrition information to describe "as packaged" and "as prepared."

Here are two examples of dual format labels that you might see on food packages: Column format and Comma format.

Serving Size

Serving size is a typical portion, not the recommended amount. Some people may need to eat more or less based on their specific needs for calories and other nutrients. Serving size is based on government labeling regulations. All of the nutrient information on the Nutrition Facts panel about the food relates to this serving size.

Calories
To maintain or improve your weight, balance the food you eat with physical activity. Aim for 30-60 minutes of accumulated physical activity each day. Every-day activities such as walking, gardening and cleaning contribute to daily activity and burn off calories.

Fat
Americans are advised to reduce (not eliminate) fat in their diets. Some fat in the diet is absolutely necessary for good health.

Trans Fat
New to the food label, trans fat information will be listed on Nutrition Facts panels by January 1, 2006. The recommendation is to keep trans fat intake as low as possible while eating a nutritionally adequate diet.

Cholesterol
For some people, lifestyle factors that may contribute to the development of high blood cholesterol levels are being overweight and inactive, having too much saturated and trans fats in the diet and, to a lesser extent, too much dietary cholesterol.

Sodium
Sodium is an essential nutrient found in varying quantities in nearly all foods. Nutrition Facts labels are based on a common recommendation of 2400 milligrams of sodium per day. Factors such as climate, physical activity and health status can affect an individual’s sodium needs.

Carbohydrates
Total carbohydrate gives the overall carbohydrate content of a food. It includes starches, sugars and dietary fiber in one serving.

Dietary Fiber
Health professionals recommend 21 to 38 grams of dietary fiber each day for adults based on age and gender. Food sources of fiber are whole grain breads and cereals, dry beans and peas, nuts, fruits and vegetables.

Sugars
Sugars on the Nutrition Facts panel include naturally occurring sugars such as fructose in fruit and lactose in dairy products as well as added sugars such as sucrose (table sugar).

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients needed for optimal health and disease prevention. Look on the Nutrition Facts panel of foods for these "hard-to-get" nutrients.