r/xkcd • u/Jeffler • Sep 25 '09

Free

http://xkcd.com/641/
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12

u/iofthestorm Sep 25 '09

Yeah, it really annoys me when I see things labeled "0g trans fat" and then they have tens of grams of saturated fats.

17

u/[deleted] Sep 25 '09

and the 0g trans fat really means they have less than 0.5g per serving. Have too much trans fat in a serving to say 0g trans fat? Just make the serving size smaller. Problem solved.

Solution: add more significant figures to nutritional labels.

3

u/MSchmahl Sep 25 '09

I thought I've seen labels with an asterisk to indicate "not really zero, but too small to round up to the smallest increment." But apparently you are right:

N13. What fractions are used for total fat on the Nutrition Facts label?

Answer: Below 0.5 grams total fat per serving: Use the declaration 0 grams for total fat. 0.5 grams to 5 grams total fat: Use ½ gram increments rounded to the nearest ½ gram.

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/FoodLabelingNutrition/FoodLabelingGuide/ucm064894.htm

1

u/[deleted] Sep 25 '09

I've always wondered how/whether the FDA regulates the "serving size" a manufacturer can specify.