Some of your favorite snacks come with warning labels in other countries.

    In Mexico, a can of Coke has a stop sign that says the drink is high in sugar.

    In Israel, a bag of Cheetos warns about high levels of sodium. 

    In Chile, a package of Oreos points out high levels of sugar, fat, and sodium.

    These warnings don’t exist in the United States. But some health experts say they should. They want the U.S. government to do something about ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Those are generally foods that contain few nutrients and a lot of artificial ingredients. 

    Several states are already taking action. California is working to take UPFs out of school meals. And last year, Texas passed a new law. It requires warning labels on foods with certain dyes and other additives. 

    But are warning labels really needed? And will they work? Read on to learn about UPFs so you can decide for yourself.

    Some snacks come with warning labels in other countries.

    In Mexico, a can of Coke warns about sugar. In Israel, a Cheetos label warns about sodium. In Chile, an Oreos label warns about sugar, fat, and sodium.

    Snacks in the United States do not have warnings. Some health experts say they should. They want the U.S. government to do something about ultra-processed foods (UPFs). These foods have few nutrients. They have many artificial ingredients.

    Some states are taking action. California is taking UPFs out of school meals. Texas passed a new law. It says foods with certain dyes and other additives must have labels.

    But do we really need warning labels? And will they work? Read on to decide.

    Some of your favorite snacks come with warning labels in other countries.

    In Mexico, a can of Coke has a stop sign that says the drink is high in sugar.

    In Israel, a bag of Cheetos warns about high levels of sodium.

    In Chile, a package of Oreos points out high levels of sugar, fat, and sodium.

    These warnings don’t exist in the United States, but some health experts say they should. They want the U.S. government to do something about ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Those are generally foods that contain few nutrients and a lot of artificial ingredients.

    Several states are already taking action. California is working to take UPFs out of school meals. And last year, Texas passed a new law that requires warning labels on foods with certain dyes and other additives.

    But are warning labels really necessary? And will they work? Read on to learn about UPFs so you can decide f

    Eating chips or gummy bears here and there is not a big deal. But eating too much of these foods can be. Here’s why: If you fill up on pretzels and Oreos, you have less room for apples or carrots or milk. Those fresh foods are part of a balanced diet. And they are filled with the nutrients your growing body needs to work properly (see “Fuel Your Body”). 

    Eating chips or gummy bears here and there is OK. But eating too much of these foods can be bad for you.

    Let’s say you fill up on pretzels and Oreos. Now you have less room for apples, carrots, or milk. Those fresh foods are good for you. They are filled with nutrients. Your body needs nutrients to work properly (see “Fuel Your Body”).

    Eating chips or gummy bears here and there is not a big deal, but eating too much of these foods can be. Here’s why: If you fill up on pretzels and Oreos, you have less room for apples or carrots or milk. Those fresh foods are part of a balanced diet. And they are filled with the nutrients your growing body needs to work properly (see “Fuel Your Body”).

    Some of the effects of warning labels are obvious. They can make people more aware of what’s really in their food. Customers may then choose healthier snacks.

    But the biggest benefit might have to do with how food companies respond. They know that these labels might make fewer people buy their products. As a result, they could feel pressure to change their snacks to make them healthier.

    Warning labels might have an effect on people. People might become more aware of what’s in their food. They might choose healthier snacks.

    But the biggest effect might be on food companies. Sales might drop for snacks with warnings. As a result, the companies might start making their snacks in a healthier way.

    Some of the effects of warning labels are obvious. They can make people more aware of what’s really in their food. Customers may then choose healthier snacks.

    But the biggest benefit might have to do with how food companies respond. They know that these labels might make fewer people buy their products. As a result, they could feel pressure to change their snacks to make them healthier.

    Not all health experts are on board with warning labels. For one, it hasn’t been proved that labels work. Plus, the warnings could send the message that certain foods are “bad.” This can make people feel guilty for eating them. 

    Therese Bridges is a nutrition expert who works with teens. She says it’s OK to have sweet or salty treats sometimes. “Being told we can’t eat something doesn’t tell us what we can eat,” Bridges says. She believes it would be more effective to teach kids how to eat a balanced diet.

    Not all health experts want warning labels on snacks. They say there’s no proof that labels work. Plus, the warnings could make the foods seem “bad.” Then people might feel guilty for eating them.

    Therese Bridges is a nutrition expert. She works with teens. She says it’s OK to have sweet or salty treats sometimes. “Being told we can’t eat something doesn’t tell us what we can eat,” she says. She says we should teach teens how to eat a healthy diet. That would be more effective.

    Not all health experts are on board with warning labels. For one, it hasn’t been proved that labels work. Plus, the warnings could send the message that certain foods are “bad,” which can make people feel guilty for eating them.

    Therese Bridges, a nutrition expert who works with teens, says it’s OK to have sweet or salty treats sometimes. “Being told we can’t eat something doesn’t tell us what we can eat,” Bridges says. She believes it would be more effective to teach kids how to eat a balanced diet.

    You definitely don’t have to toss out that bag of chips in your lunch box! Just make sure it’s surrounded by fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Knowing about the possible risks of a food doesn’t mean you can’t eat it. It just helps you pause and think: How can I best fuel my brain and body? 

    You don’t have to stop eating chips. Just eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains too. Knowing that some foods are UPFs doesn’t mean you can’t eat them. It just helps you think: How can I best fuel my brain and body?

    You definitely don’t have to toss out that bag of chips in your lunch box! Just make sure it’s surrounded by fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Knowing about the possible risks of a food doesn’t mean you can’t eat it. It just helps you pause and think: How can I best fuel my brain and body?