Download FOOD LABELLING

FOOD LABELLING
Food labels provide information from the manufacturer to the consumer.
They are useful to the consumer because they:
- provide information about the product so that the consumer knows exactly what
they are buying;
- provide instructions for storage and preparation so the consumer is able to store
and prepare the product safely;
- enable the consumer to make choices for dietary or other reasons;
- allow consumers to compare food products for value for money.
Labelling Requirements
Most food products must by law include the following information, though some
products may be exempt from one or more of these conditions.
- the product name
- an ingredients list (in descending order of weight)
- the shelf-life (use-by or best-before date)
- storage instructions
- the name and address of either the manufacturer, packer or EC seller
- the country of origin
- the weight
- instructions for use
Date Coding
Food labels can carry date codes to ensure that the safety and quality of the food is
maintained and to prevent food poisoning. Date codes refer to the product before it is
opened.
Use By . . .
The »use-by« code must be used for foods that are
microbiologically highly perishable, foods which deteriorate and
become a danger to human health after a short time. This type of
code is often used for chilled foods such as sandwiches and cookchill meals which should be stored in the refrigerator.
Best Before . . .
This type of code is used for products where a »use-by« date is
not applicable or required.
The »best-before« date must be expressed as a day and
month and year, in that order. For products with a shelf-life of
three months or less, for example bread, crisps, biscuits and
sweets, the »best-before« date may be expressed as a day
and month only.
Best Before End …
This is an alternative form of the »best-before« date for products with a
shelf-life of more than three months, for example canned and bottled
goods, drinks and frozen foods. It may be expressed in terms of a
month and year only, or if the product has a shelf-life of more than 18
months, in terms of a month and year or a year only.
Display Until …
This is not required by law but may be used by stores to
ensure the staff knows when to remove products from the
shelves. It is usually a few days before the »use-by« date so
that the consumer has a number of days left in which to use
the food.
Foods without Date Codes
Some products are not required to be date-marked, for example, wines and spirits
which have a long shelf-life and fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods which are not prepacked such as delicatessen products do not require a date mark.
Nutritional Labelling
Food manufacturers are not required by law to
provide nutritional labelling. However, it they
make a claim such as »low sugar« or »high
fibre«, they must support it with nutritional
labelling. Many manufacturers do show
nutritional labelling which allows consumers to
make healthier choices. Two systems of
nutritional labelling have been agreed by the
European Community.
The first includes details about energy, protein,
carbohydrate and fat and the second supplies
details about those as well as sugars, saturates,
fibre and sodium.
Information is given per 100g or 100mls.
Vir:
http://images.google.si/imgres?imgurl=http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~media/display.gif&i
mgrefurl=http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~media/fooddates.htm&h=98&w=153&sz=7&hl=sl
&start=20&tbnid=dYKDfpm_7hCAUM:&tbnh=61&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlab
elling,%2Bdisplay%2Buntil%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Dslir:
EXERCISES
II. Some products must carry additional information. Match:
1. use by
2. best before
3. best before end
4. display until
5. without date codes
6. nutritional labelling
___ alternative for »best before« for products
shelf life of more than 3 months
___ is used to inform the shop personnel
when to remove products from shelves
___ for highly perishable foods which can
become dangerous to health
___ for products with long shelf life and fresh
fruits and vegetables
___ for food where special claims like »low
calories« are made
___ for foods where »use by« date is not
required.
III. Answer the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Which information do labels provide for the consumer?
What do they enable the consumer?
Enumerate the information that food labels should include.
Why is date coding necessary?
What kinds of date coding do you know?
Which products do not have date codes and why?
When is nutritional labelling necessary?