What is gluten?
Gluten is a mixture of plant proteins that occur in grain. A small percentage of the population has an intolerance or allergy to foods containing these proteins.

Which of your products contain gluten?
We are sorry to inform you that we do not have a source that lists the gluten content of our products. However, our product labels list common allergens, such as wheat, for those allergic to wheat gluten.

What is monosodium glutamate (MSG)?
Monosodium glutamate is used as a flavor enhancer, much like salt. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, MSG is a safe food ingredient for the general public, and a small percentage of people sensitive to MSG may have mild reactions when they eat foods with large amounts of MSG. The FDA requires MSG to be declared on labels of food products to which MSG has been added. Consumers who may have sensitivities are advised to check the ingredient list on each product package.

What is sodium erythorbate?
Sodium erythorbate is a man-made form of vitamin C. Sodium erythorbate helps keep the color of franks, ham, and other cured meats stable. Sodium erythorbate and similar forms of vitamin C have been used in cured meat products for more than 30 years.

What is trans fat?
Trans fats are "transitional fats" between saturated and unsaturated, and can be present in hydrogenated oils and also, to a much smaller degree, in animal products such as meat and dairy products. We are currently analyzing all of our products for trans fat in anticipation of new labeling rules that will require our products to label trans fat. Some of our products already contain trans fat information in the Nutrition Facts Panel. Many of our products are trans fat free.

What is fat free?
According to U.S. nutritional labeling guidelines, a product that contains less than half a gram of fat per serving can be labeled "fat free."

Where can I find nutritional product information?
You can find nutritional information on the product package or individual wrapper, and on some brands' Web sites.

What is lactose?
Lactose or milk sugar is found in most dairy products such as milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, sour cream., etc. Some people are lactose intolerant, meaning they have difficulty digesting lactose. If you are lactose intolerant, the simplest solution is to read ingredient labels and avoid consuming foods with dairy product ingredients.

What is kosher?
Kosher is a Jewish term meaning "fit to eat" or "ritually pure." It is used to describe foods that are produced according to certain standards, and so are approved to be eaten by people of the Jewish faith. Packaged food products that are certified kosher may bear the symbol U or K with a circle around it. All food products from ConAgra Foods' Hebrew National^® brand are certified kosher, and several other products in our family of brands.

Do your products meet the standards for restricted diets?
A number of our food products, such as Egg Beaters and Hunt's, can fit into a restricted diet, and some, such as Golden Cuisine and Healthy Choice, fit government guidelines for certain types of restricted diets. Generally, however, your doctor or dietician should assist in food choices under a restricted diet.

What is a serving size?
Serving size is the amount of a food product or meal that has been deemed a usual or recommended amount for an average adult, unless otherwise indicated for children. This varies according to the product or recipe, but usually the label will indicate the weight, volume, or other quantity of a product that constitutes one serving. Serving sizes are regulated by the FDA and USDA to ensure consistency in nutritional labeling.

What is artificial sweetner? Aspartame?
Aspartame is a common sweetener marketed under the brand names NutraSweet® or Equal®. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1981. Other artificial sweeteners have been approved and are in use to a lesser extent. All artificial sweeteners are required to be listed on the label. Because our products are often reformulated, consumers who may have sensitivities are advised to check the ingredient list on the product package.

Are food additives safe?
All additives used by ConAgra Foods have been approved for general use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ConAgra Foods follows the package label requirements set by the FDA. Not all consumers react the same to all food ingredients. People who have or think they have conditions that may cause reactions to certain ingredients are advised to visit the FDA Web site, www.fda.gov, for more detailed information, or read our product labels, which call out common allergens on the label.

What are sugar alcohols?
Sugar alcohols are used as a substitute for sugar. While not really sugar, sugar alcohols do still contribute to carbohydrates. If you have a concern regarding carbohydrate intake, and question whether you should use a product, we recommend you contact your health professional.

What is modified food starch?
The modified food starch used in ConAgra Foods products is corn or potato starch unless otherwise stated on the ingredient label. The flour used in our products is often wheat flour and should be avoided by individuals with gluten sensitivities. Check the label for a list of any of the common allergens in our food products.