Food labels provide important information about the food we purchase and consume. Besides listing general nutrition facts like calories, carbohydrates or vitamins, they can also let us know how the food was grown or what it contains.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for assuring that foods sold in the United States are safe and properly labeled. However, there are sometimes additional information provided on labels that manufacturers provide voluntarily. Let’s dive into a few label terms that you might not be as familiar with.

Made without ingredients that were derived from genetically engineered organisms. The FDA uses the term “genetic engineering.”

Although GMOs have recently come under more intense scrutiny, it is important to note that farmers have been using the process of selective breeding since agriculture began to build stronger and more resilient crops. The difference now is that plant scientists can be more precise with the types of genes they want to pass on to different crops.

Fun Fact: Over 600,000 Christmas wreaths are made annually in Wisconsin.

Recipes We Love

Take advantage of the wide variety of crops and livestock that are grown and raised in Wisconsin in these sure-to-please recipes.