# Nutrition Labels

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nutrition-labels/316918>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 14, 2005, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nutrition-labels/316918 "2005-08-14T01:14:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nutrition-labels/316918/1 "2005-08-14T01:14:41Z")

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Is it true that the nutrition labels on products sold in the USA is going to be enhanced to show trans-fats come Jan 2006? Also, why does the protein have no %DV? Even when you look at the bottom of the label where it’s explained how things are based on a 2000 or 2500 calorie diet, protein isn’t even listed! Why?

- Jinx

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**Author:** ![dre2xl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@dre2xl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dre2xl)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nutrition-labels/316918/2 "2005-08-14T02:20:11Z")

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WAG: The amount of protein needed to survive is actually very low. We don’t label a minimum value for fat either, because it’s so pervasive.

Another WAG: Like fats, not all proteins are created equally, so it makes no sense and may in fact do harm if a .

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**Author:** ![dre2xl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@dre2xl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dre2xl)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nutrition-labels/316918/3 "2005-08-14T02:22:55Z")

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Oops, the mouse slipped.

Another WAG: Like fats, not all proteins are created equally, so it makes no sense and may in fact do harm if an overall minimum %DV were instituted. If people were advised to eat at least 15 grams of fat a day, it’d be far more likely they’d gobble up on trans-fat sources such as French Fries than on healthy fat sources such as olives or fish.

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**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nutrition-labels/316918/4 "2005-08-14T03:21:31Z")

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Proteins are not not allocated by percent of daily calorie consumption but by grams per kilogram of weight.

Recommended Dietary Allowances 10th edition

> [@](#):
>
> [T]he allowance for adult men and women remains at 0.8 g/kg of body weight per day.

For other ages and conditions, see [table 6.4](http://www.nap.edu/books/0309046335/html/66.html).

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**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nutrition-labels/316918/5 "2005-08-14T04:07:31Z")

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> [@Jinx](#):
>
> Is it true that the nutrition labels on products sold in the USA is going to be enhanced to show trans-fats come Jan 2006?

Yes.  
[Trans fat label law offers threats and opportunities](http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/news/news-ng.asp?id=61017-trans-fat-label)

> [@](#):
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> Many labelers have not yet initiated steps to revise labels despite the fact that FDA requirements for trans fat and food allergen labeling are less than six months away.  
> Nearly all FDA-regulated food products labeled for sale in the US must comply with the new laws, which come into force on January 1, 2006, and some industry bodies are concerned that mid-size firms are not yet prepared.

[FDA’s Trans Fat Nutrition Labeling Q&A](http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qatrans2.html)