Tellin' on Nutella

Nutella ("Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa") advertises itself as a nutritious alternative to butter. Most nut butters are, in fact, good nutritional choices, including hazelnut butter. But Nutella is not that. It is far more palm oil and added sugar than hazelnuts.

Here is how it compares to Butter (basically pure fat) and Adams 100% Natural Peanut Butter (Creamy).

                                    Nutella           Butter                  Adams

Calories (2tbsp)            200                 200                       190
Saturated Fat                4g                   14g                        3g
Total Carbs                   22g                   0g                         7g
Added sugar                 19g                   0g                         0g
Total sugar                    21g                  0g                         2g
Sodium                        15mg              180mg                  105mg
Protein                          2g                    0g                         8g
Fiber                             1g                    0g                         3g

So while spreading your toast with Nutella is probably a better alternative than using butter in some respects, don't confuse it with a healthy nut butter. It is closer to cake frosting.

 

Facemask Exemption Card Scam

Not ones to ever overlook an opportunity, the internet is flush with scammers selling fake pandemic "face mask exemption cards". For around $10, you too can own your own Face Mask Exempt Card with an official Department of Justice Seal and citation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. You card will feature a prominent warning to businesses not to deny you service for refusing to wear a mask.

The only problem is, the card is a complete fake. The Department of Justice denys any involvement and the Federal Trade Commission points out that no Federal Agency issues or even endorses them. Its all a scam.

Google "face mask exemption card" and prepare to be amused.

Some people are just so low they would have to look up to see a snake's belly. Still, there is a certain irony to watching conspiracy theorists being bilked out of their money using their own conspiracy theory against them.

 

OK, Listen Up - The New Nutrition Labels are Here

As imperfect as they admittedly are, the nutrition labels on the foods we buy are our best quick and easy guide to what we are getting. And these have recently gotten a significant update. Effective January 1, 2020, large food manufacturers were required to change to the new labeling. Smaller producers have until January 1, 2021 to make the switch.

 Here is what you really need to know about the new labeling.

1. Everything is much easier to see. Larger type and bolding of key information means that you no longer need a magnifying glass to read everything.

2. Serving sizes have been adjusted to better reflect what actual people actually eat, instead of some fictitious number that often made little sense, and are given in both grams and some other common measurement (cups, ounces, etc.). 

3. Calories are much more prominent. In addition to calories per serving, packages containing 1 to 3 servings of product will also provide a calorie count for the entire package. Now you do not have to do the math to discover that the can of chili you just ate was 1,100 calories and not 370.

4. Perhaps the most important change was that the new labels now show not only the total amount of sugar in the product, but how much of it was added by the manufacturer (vs naturally occurring). Current guidelines are to limit added sugar from all sources to 50g per day (on a 2,000 calorie diet).

5. The old labels listed vitamins A and C, while the new labels show vitamin D and potassium instead. Most people get plenty of vitamins A and C, while vitamin D shortages are common and over 95% of Americans do not have enough potassium in their diets. The labels also now show the actual amounts as well as the percent daily values.

6. The "Calories from Fat" listed on the old labels has been omitted on the grounds that it provided no useful information. It is not simply the amount of fats consumed that is important, but the type of fat.

This is the first major update to nutrition labels in over 20 years. The refreshed design and updated information should make it easier for you to make informed food choices that contribute to lifelong healthy eating habits.

Imported Foods Bring Hidden Risks

The regulations that govern the production, processing and export of food products in China fail to address important problems, even after a 2019 update intended to resolve US concerns. Heavy metal pollution of soils, overuse of pesticides, antibiotics and additives are all common in food products imported from China. The risk is especially high with fish, vegetables and fruits.

The FDA has no authority to conduct random inspections of producers in China as they do in the US. Inspections must be scheduled in advance, often months ahead of time. Manpower shortages allow inspection of only about 2% of Chinese sourced food products at ports of entry.

Compounding the problem, our country of origin labeling laws do not require such labeling once a food has been processed, so whole, fresh foods are safest. A product labeled as Organic is no guarantee of safety either. Some foods labeled organic from China are not.

Other countries that have a high number of shipments refused by the FDA include Mexico (primarily vegetables) and India (mainly spices and shellfish).

As imperfect as our own food safety systems may be, they are far better than in many other countries. Unfortunately, we consume a lot of the food that they produce. As always, buyer beware.