Listening

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Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. take effect
    • ex. The safety rules will take effect immediately to keep everyone safe.
  2. grains
    • ex. Rice and oats are common grains that people eat for breakfast.
  3. dairy
    • ex. My mom buys dairy products, like butter and cheese, from the store.
  4. sweetened
    • ex. I prefer sweetened fruit juice over plain juice.
  5. comply
    • ex. The factory workers must comply with the safety rules to avoid accidents.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced new rules that food companies must follow before marking their food as “healthy.” These changes aim to help Americans understand food labels and to make choices based on the government’s diet rules. The new rules will take effect in February.

According to the new rules, foods marked as “healthy” must contain certain amounts of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein. There are also limits on added sugars, salt, and fat, depending on the food. This means sugary cereals, sweetened yogurts, and white bread can no longer be marked as “healthy.” Meanwhile, foods like fruits, olive oil, and salmon can use the label. Even water is allowed to have the label.

The FDA is still developing the new label using recent information about food and health. The agency believes that providing better nutrition information is important to help people eat healthier and reduce health problems. Food companies have until February 2028 to comply. However, some companies think the rule will stop some foods from using the “healthy” label, even though they have worked hard to provide healthier options.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

The “Healthy” Label

  • Do you believe that the new rules for "healthy" foods will make people more careful about the food they eat? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • The FDA is developing a new label using recent information about food and health. Why do you think it is important to use the most recent information about food and health in making rules about health? Discuss.
  • How do you think the FDA’s new “healthy” label will affect food companies? Discuss.

Food Choices

  • As a consumer, do you check food labels when shopping for food? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What types of food are you likely to choose when grocery shopping (ex. sugary and sweetened foods, grains and dairy)? Discuss.
  • What types of food and drinks do you often buy but are considered unhealthy (ex. alcoholic drinks, salty foods)? Discuss.