Are Foods Labeled “Fat-Free” Always Fat-Free?
Nutrition labeling laws allow manufacturers to “round down,” meaning that foods labeled fat- or sugar-free sometimes contain small amounts of fat and sugar. Food containing less than half a gram of fat per serving may be labeled fat-free. By the same token, foods containing a half gram of trans fats per serving may be labeled “0 grams trans fat” or trans-fat free, and foods with a half gram of sugar per serving can be labeled sugar-free. To see if foods are truly fat-, sugar-, or trans fat-free, you need to read the ingredient label.
