READ IT BEFORE YOU EAT IT: How to Decode Food Labels and Make the Healthiest Choice Every Time - By Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, CDN.
Why I chose this book:
Food labels are often accused of being confusing and misleading, despite numerous efforts by multiple different agencies to come up with more user-friendly labeling (follow the links for the latest example of these efforts).
Facts Up Front labeling guide
Front-of-Pack Labeling Initiative
Why everyone can benefit from reading (or at least flipping through) this book:
Label reading doesn't have to be confusing and there shouldn't be so many lawsuits about consumers being mislead. (What? You mean this chocolate peanut butter isn't healthy? Gasp!)
Case-in-point: Naked Juice is one of many companies who were sued for reportedly misusing the term "Natural", even though the FDA has yet to define that term.
News Article: Naked but Not 'Natural'
From a food science perspective, the term "natural" is a misnomer, regardless of whether the product labeled as such has GMOs or added vitamins or extra fiber. Doesn't "natural" mean "caused by nature, not by humankind"? So isn't every processed food technically not natural? When is the last time you saw or heard of a granola bar roaming the Great Plains or a brownie rolling through the forest?
You can't tell me you ACTUALLY believe this product is "All Natural"...
Yes, this "Natural Debate" is somewhat old news, but these lawsuits keep springing up, and there's no shortage of movements that demand, "We want to know what's in our food!" Well, if that's really true, the first step should be education a la READ IT BEFORE YOU EAT IT, available wherever books are sold.
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