- Did you know that foods like chocolate and cheese only need to be a percentage of these ingredients?
Did you know there’s a percentage a food needs to be called that? Here are some examples and what it takes in different countries to be considered each food. Chocolate in the United States
To be labeled chocolate, a product must contain at least 10% chocolate liquor or the ground cocoa mass made from cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Milk chocolate must contain at least 10% chocolate liquor and 12% milk solids. White chocolate has no cocoa solids, but must have at least 20% cocoa butter plus milk solids and sugar.
Chocolate in Europe
Chocolate must have at least 35% total dry cocoa solids, including 18% cocoa butter and 14% cocoa solids. Milk chocolate must have at least 25% cocoa solids.
Cheese in the United States
Products called cheese must be made primarily from milk and milk-derived ingredients. For example, cheddar cheese must have at least 50% milk fat in the dry matter. If it doesn’t meet standards, it must be labeled cheese product or cheese food.
Did you know the percentage a food needs to be called cheese?
Cheese in Europe
Cheese must be made from milk, partially skimmed milk, or cream, with the fat content clearly declared. Vegetable fats like oils generally disqualify the product from being labeled cheese.
Butter in the United States and Europe
Butter must be at least 80% milk fat. Anything less must be labeled as a spread or butter blend.
Peanut Butter in the United States
Peanut butter in the states must contain at least 90% peanuts. The remaining 10% can be sweeteners, salt, and stabilizers. Otherwise, it has to be labeled peanut spread.
Jam in Europe
Standard jam must contain at least 35% fruit. Extra jam requires 45% fruit. Reduced-sugar versions must clearly state the deviation from traditional jams.
Jam and Preserves in the United States
Jams must contain a significant proportion of fruit, usually comparable to European levels or they risk alternative labeling.
Did you know the percentage a food needs to be called jam?
Fruit Juice in the United States and Europe
To be called fruit juice, the product must be 100% juice, either fresh or from concentrate. Anything less must be labeled juice drink, juice beverage or nectar.
Honey in the United States and Europe
Honey must be 100% derived from bees with no added sweeteners or water. If diluted or blended, it legally cannot be called honey.
Maple Syrup in the United States and Canada
Maple syrup must be 100% maple sap concentrate. Anything mixed with corn syrup or sugar becomes maple-flavored syrup.
Ice Cream in the United States
Ice cream needs to be at least 10% milk fat and weigh at least 4.5 pounds per gallon. If it doesn’t, it should be labeled frozen dairy dessert. Did you know the percentage a food needs to be called ice cream?
Beef in the United States
A product labeled simply beef must come from cattle and have no added fillers. If mixed with soy or grains, it must say beef product or specify percentages.
Milk in the United States and Europe
Milk must come from lactating animals like cows and meet minimum fat levels. So whole milk in the United States needs to be at 3.25% fat to be called milk.
Yogurt in the United States
Yogurt needs to be made by fermenting milk with specific bacterial cultures like Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. If it’s thickeners that replace fermentation, the labeling is supposed to change.
Bread in Europe
In some European countries like France, bread must be made from flour, water, yeast, and salt, and has restrictions on additives. Did you know the percentage a food needs to be called bread?
Vanilla Extract in the United States
Pure vanilla extract must contain at least 13.35 ounces of vanilla beans per gallon of solution and 35% alcohol. Otherwise, it’s not real vanilla and must be labeled imitation vanilla.
Olive Oil in Europe and Internationally
Extra virgin olive oil must be 100% olive oil, mechanically extracted, and meet strict acidity limits like being ? 0.8% free acidity.
Wine in Europe and the United States
Wine must be made from fermented grapes and if other fruits are used, it has to be labeled fruit wine.
Beer in Germany
Reinheitsgebot tradition is when beer is only made from water, barley, hops, and yeast. Modern laws are more flexible, but the term still carries expectations.
Did you know about these and the percentage a food needs to be called that? Tell me about something not on the list in the comments!