The USDA, or United States Department of Agriculture, is responsible for ensuring that the food Americans eat is safe and healthy. The USDA also works to promote American agriculture and support farmers and ranchers. One way the USDA does this is by setting standards for food labeling.
For example, the USDA requires that all packaged foods sold in the United States be labeled with a Nutrition Facts panel. This panel must list the amount of calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates, sodium, and other nutrients in each serving of the food. The USDA also sets standards for how these nutrients must be measured (for example, by weight or volume).
The USDA also regulates food labeling claims such as low fat or sugar free. These claims can only be made if they meet certain criteria set by the USDA. For example, a food can only be labeled low fat if it contains 3 grams of fat or less per serving.
In addition to regulating food labels, the USDA also inspects meat, poultry, and egg products to make sure they are safe to eat. The USDA also conducts research on topics related to agriculture and food safety.