Food Labels May Not Get Calories Right

Some foods have more calories than are listed in nutritional information, researchers at Tufts University said.

The authors of a new study said in a news release they measured 29 fast food and sit-down restaurant meals and found they averaged 18 percent more calories than stated.

Ten frozen meals bought at grocery stores averaged 8 percent more calories than their labels said.

The researchers said they chose foods from national chains that were supposed to be options under 500 calories.

They also noted that restaurant meals often came with side dishes that could more than double the calorie count for the meal.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows up to 20 percent excess energy content. However, products can't be more than 1 percent less than the stated weight. This could lead manufacturers to add more food to packages.

Lead author Susan B. Roberts said that the problem could harm those trying to lose weight. She noted that an extra 5 percent in calories could lead to a 10-pound weight gain in a year for a typical person.

The study was published in the January 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.