Australian Food Labels - Fibre or not?

nettie1969

Helllppp ... i am so very confused and have been searching for an answer but cannot find one. My apologies in advance if this has been asked before.

I have been taught that

total carbs = sugars + starch + fibre

but it is not compulsory to report fibre on Aust labels.... only total carbs and the sugar amount.

So my question is ... can I assume in most foods that the difference between the total carbs and total sugars amount is the fibre content??? Especially where fibre is not listed separately.

Next questions, I gather that the carbs on MFP include the fibre component so if we are using them we need to check this and where fibre is not listed it is the difference.... and where it has been listed separately ensure it is included in the carb amount....

arrrggghhhh just when I thought I had it sorted out and straight in my head I went shopping now I have a screaming headache!!!

nettie1969

For example

Linseed shows on the packet (per 30g) as:

Total carbs 8.7g
- sugars 0.5g
Dietary Fibre 8.2g

and on here is shows total carbs as 9 g and fibre as 8 g (roughly correct)

but my fruit yoghurt has

Total carbs 6.2g
- sugars 6.2g
Dietary Fibre 0.3g

and tinned tomatoes say
Total carbs 3.0g
-sugars 2.5g
and does not list fibre at all

I am so confuzzled right now ... why can't we even have a consistent format in Australia.

LilMissFoodie

Yes, I think you will find that this is not very consistent because it isn't really regulated (but Australia has the best and most consistent labeling regulations I've seen in general so you are still quite lucky!). I wouldn't assume that the rest of 'total carbohydrates' is fibre because there may be other starches. Also, as you appear to have noticed, some labels do not include fibre in their total carbohydrates (like your yoghurt).

Sorry it's not a more helpful answer!!

nettie1969

Thanks Lil'miss...

still just as confused ..... I guess I will just have to keep looking at my other websites to check the NIP and add back the fibre if it is not listed .... do you recommend I then add this to the total carbs??