Food Labelling Flashcards
Percentage of Food
• Along with the ingredients list, the percentage
of an ingredient must be shown if:
• It is highlighted by labelling or a picture, e.g. ‘extra blueberries’.
• It is mentioned in the name of the product, e.g. ‘ Blueberry & Apple Pie’.
• If consumers would generally connect an ingredient with a product, e.g. fruit in Summer Pudding.
Back of Pack Labelling: Mandatory
Mandatory (per 100g/ml may also be displayed as per portion) • Energy value (kJ and kcal) • Fat (g) - Saturates • Carbohydrates - Sugars • Protein • Salt (sodium chloride)
Back of Pack Labelling: Voluntary
The following can be included but is voluntary : • Monounsaturates & Polyunsaturates • Polyols (used as sweeteners) • Starch • Fibre • Any vitamins or minerals providing 15% or more of the nutrient reference value (NRV) is contained per 100g/ml, or per serving, depending which is smallest. For example: to declare calcium in 30g of cheese, the 30g serving must contain 15% x 800mg = 120mg of calcium (800mg is the NRV for Calcium).
Reference Intakes
• Reference Intakes (RIs) are set by European law and replace Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) on food labelling.
• RIs show the maximum amount of calories, macronutrients and salt that should be consumed in a day.
• The term GDA suggested that these were specific
amounts for people to aim for, so RIs are used instead to indicate that they are not targets.
• RIs are guidelines to help people make food choices and create balance in their diet.
• The % of RIs present in packaged food can be
displayed either on the front or back of the pack this is voluntary.
Reference Intake - Foundation
• The amount of calories and nutrients the product contains is expressed as a percentage of the daily RI on the food label.
• RIs are based on an average sized woman doing an average amount of physical activity.
• The RIs that can be used for food packaging for an average adult are:
- Energy 2000 kcal/8400kJ.
- Fat less than 70g of which saturates 20g.
- Carbohydrate 260g of which sugars 90g.
- Protein 50g.
- Salt less than 6g.
Allergens
- There are 14 allergens that must be highlighted if included as an ingredient or processing aid in pre packed foods.
- Pre packed foods must include an ingredient list on the label with allergen/s clearly identified by listing in bold , contrasting colours or by underlining them.
- If products are sold in multi packs, allergen information must be displayed on the outer packaging.
14 Allergens
Gluten Eggs Fish Crustaceans Peanut Soya Celery Milk Tree nuts Mustard Sesame Sulphur Dioxide Lupin Mollusc
Additional warnings
Certain products require additional warnings on the label:
• Drinks with an alcohol content above 1.2%.
• GM ingredients above 0.9%.
• If the product has been irradiated
• The words ‘packaged in a protective atmosphere’ if packaged using a gas
Gluten Free
Can contain 20mg/kg
GMO
- UK/EU: Must label the presence of GMOs or ingredients produced from GMOs (if > 0.9%).
- Not required to label food produced with the help of GMO technology; e.g. GM enzymes to clot milk for cheese or products from animals fed on GMO feed, e.g. meat, eggs.
Organic
Pre-packed foods can only be labelled organic if at least 95% of the ingredients are organic.
• Label must state where farmed ingredients in products were produced.
• Must provide code number of certifying body. Retailers can label products organic if at least 95% of the product’s farmed ingredients are organic
• Products can only be sold direct to customers in the shop.
• Must be certified by one of the organic regulatory bodies.
Colouring: E160b Annatto
Natural
Adverse Effects: Headaches, hives, irritability, sleep
issues.
Found in: Cheese, coleslaw, crisps, custard, fish fingers, margarine, smoked fish, soft drinks.
Also used in face paint, digestive aids and expectorants.
Plastic Packaging
• Plastic packaging: plastic and cling film are common packaging for foods.
• Plastics allow leaching of chemicals into foods
Bisphenol A (BPA) is one such chemical.
• BPA and other compounds found in plastics are called xenoestrogens (chemicals that mimic oestrogen in the body).
• Xenoestrogens can bind to oestrogen
receptors, disrupting normal function.
• They have been implicated in hormone related diseases including certain cancers (e.g. breast, prostate), and fertility problems.
Plastics most known to cause human health issues include
- PET ( Polyethylene terephthalate) used for soft drink, juice and water bottles and peanut butter containers.
- PVC and DEHA [Polyvinyl chloride, Bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate] used in clingfilm, plastic squeeze bottles and cooking oil bottles.
- PS ( Polystyrene) used in Styrofoam food trays, egg cartons, takeaway food containers, disposable cups.
- PC ( Polycarbonates) used in plastic baby bottles and ‘ sippy ’ cups, sports water bottles, metal food can liners.
Irradiation
• Used to prolong shelf life using high energy electron beams, X rays or gamma rays.
• Seven categories of food can be irradiated in the EU: fruit & vegetables, cereals, bulbs & tubers, dried aromatic herbs, spices & seasonings, fish & shellfish, poultry.
• Irradiation of foods or ingredients within a food must be declared on the label as ‘irradiated’ or ‘treated with ionising radiation’.
• If an irradiated food is not pre packed, wording must be displayed next to the food.
• May also (optionally) show the international
icon for irradiated food the Radura symbol.
