Why do packaged foods have a nutrition label?

Packaged foods have nutrition labels to provide consumers with information about the nutritional content of the food. This information can help consumers to make informed decisions about the foods they eat.

Nutrition labels include information on the following nutrients:

* Calories

* Total fat

* Saturated fat

* Cholesterol

* Sodium

* Total carbohydrate

* Dietary fiber

* Sugars

* Protein

* Vitamins

* Minerals

The nutrition label also provides information on the serving size and the number of servings per container. This information is important because it allows consumers to compare the nutritional content of different foods on a consistent basis.

Nutrition labels are required by law on most packaged foods. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the content and format of nutrition labels. The FDA requires that nutrition labels be easy to read and understand, so that consumers can make informed choices about the foods they eat.