Careful: 96% Fat Free!!! NOT NOT NOT!

yep, basically most labels lie or mislead. good job on the math/detective work!

Man.... I thought I had my label reading all figured out...but I guess not...thanks!! for the post.

ewww....:sick: ham steaks

Actually, I have to disagree that this is wrong or inaccurate. It IS 96% non-fat content--BY MASS. That's a perfectly reasonable way to determine percentages; for example, when you talk about your body fat percentage, it's percentage by mass (i.e., how many grams of fat are there compared to grams of body weight).

Percentage by calories is also a legitimate way to measure it. Neither is lying, and neither is more accurate or "true" than the other (any more than "one half" is more accurate that "50%", or than calling clothes for 1-year-olds "12 month" clothes).

I suppose it is "not telling the whole truth"--but then again, they also don't give you percent by volume of fat, or percent by molar weight, or anything like that. Nearly all foods that make percent fat claims on the label use percent by mass (or, occasionally, by volume--mainly for liquids). Why? Because mass is a lot easier to measure accurately than calorie content. And, yes, because most consumers are not educated enough to read and understand a food label. Companies know that people will buy more of a food with a lower fat percentage on the label. Just like they know that consumers will buy more food when it's packaged attractively, or when it's directed at their kids, or when it's sold by skinny women in bikinis (or muscular men in tight pants). All of these practices are common. This is why you read the nutrition label and don't just buy whatever the advertisers tell you.

All advertising is dishonest in some way. I don't think that giving a percent by mass instead of percent by calories is really that bad. At least it's true, and at least it's easy for us to check. I get a lot more offended by companies selling sugar water to kids and marketing it to parents by claiming that it'll help little Johnny with his ADD--or a margarine company claiming their product will lower cholesterol. Those claims aren't even close to valid. At least 96% fat free (by mass) is actually a true statement.

I hate when I think I'm making better food choices, but it turns out to be not so hot.

I have been buying these 96% Fat Free Ham Steaks - this is perfect as my rule of thumb is to try to limit my Fat to about 20% of my calories.

But, on closer inspection - there are 120 calories per serving with 35 calories from fat. Huh? 35 is actually 29% of 120. Not 4% like the label claims. What's going on here??? Here's how the math works (and sorry if you already know this, but I just figured it out).

The ham steak is 112 Grams - with 4 grams of fat - wow - now again it does look like it's 96% fat free...So where is the discrepancy??

Well, most of us know that a gram of fat is 9 calories - so there's your 35 calories from fat (about 9 x 4g). There are about 21 grams of protein - which is 4 calories per serving - so there are the other 85 calories - but wait - we are missing 87grams of something! Oh - and there it is on the label - "Water Added" - What the label should look like:

Fat 4g = 35 calories
Protein 21g = 85 calories
Water 85g = 0 calories

In Total Calories, this product is 30% Fat. In Total Grams, it is 16% Fat. What a scam to label this 96% Fat Free.

I'm not sure where the math takes a turn.

I'm using this as an example since it's from walmart and has close to same numbers you were refering too.


Weight of ham "product" - Grams per serving 112 - 8 servings in a package - 896 grams = 1.98lbs

For each serving of 120 calories - you have
18 grams protein = 72 calories
3 grams carb = 12 calories
4 grams of fat = 36 calories
Total 120 calories.

Total fat of ham :
Total weight of ham product is 896 grams
Total fat is 4 grams x 8 slices for 32 grams of fat.

896-32 grams = 864 grams of ham "product" other than fat.
864/896 = 96%

I agree advertising companies are mis-leading, but not incorrect.
Product is 96% fat free of TOTAL weight of ham "product".

edit: At 1380 mg of sodium / serving = 11,040 of sodium in whole package.
There definately are better choices.