Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Vitamins and Minerals

How to Read a Label
Lesson 4

The next part of the label reveals the vitamin and mineral content of the food item you are considering. The FDA requires listings on calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C, but not others. Manufacturers often add other listings of percentages, like folic acid, potassium or magnesium if the product contains significant amounts of the nutrients in question, knowing they are important to consumers.

Often, these essential nutrients are naturally occurring, but can also be added as enrichments. You, the consumer, have no way of knowing.

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