food labelling

Question 1

what is FSANZ

AND THEIR 2 RESPONSIBILITIES

Answer 1

• food safety Australia and New Zealand
• they are responsible for setting foods standards in aus and nz
  
  • ensure foods sold are safe
  • ensure that consumers know what they are purchasing

Question 2

why are food labels important

Answer 2

• provide consumers w valuable info
  
  • food safety
  • guidance for food choices
  • info on allergies
  • shopping decisions

Question 3

compulsory components of a food label

hint there are 9

Answer 3

• food identification - lot number, name of business
• advisory statements
• list of ingredients in descending order
• percentage labelling
• date marker
• nutrition info
• directions for use + storage
• country of origin
• weight or measure of content

Question 4

non- compulsory components of a label

hint there are 5

Answer 4

• barcodes
• health star rating
• serving suggestion
• health claims
• nutritional content claims

Question 5

foods that don’t require labelling

Answer 5

• unpackaged foods
• foods made and packaged where they are sold
• see-through packaged fruits and vegetables
• home delivered food
• individual packages within a larger pack (as long as larger pack has info)

Question 6

info that MUST NOT be on label

Answer 6

• any info that is false or misleading
• a claim that food can cure disease
• comparison of nutrient content w other foods
• claim that food can have weight reducing properties

Question 7

nutrient content claim vs. health claim

Answer 7

• nutrient content claim: is about the contents of a particular nutrient in food
  
  • eg. low in fat
• health claim: refers to a relationship between food and a health benefit
  
  • eg. low in cholesterol (not a nutrient)

Question 8

how to read the ingredients list

Answer 8

• listed in descending order by weight incl water
• all additives must be included

Question 9

what are barcodes

Answer 9

• 13 digits in a special form that can be read by scanners at checkout
  1. first 2 numbers reflect country code
  2. next 5 numbers define the manufacturer of the product
  3. next 5 digits are specific to the product itself
  4. last number is special digit called the “CHECK DIGIT” that is a double check to make sure that the APN for the code is correct
• identifies the product scanned and its manufacturer
• APN → Australian product number aka barcode
• barcodes don’t show price → they come from store’s computer system
• steps at checkout w barcode
  
  • when products are taken to the checkout, an electronic scanner “reads” the symbol on each item
  • the product’s description and price are shown on the customer display panel attached to the cash register
  • they are then printed on a receipt

Question 10

benefits of barcodes

Answer 10

• scanning is more accurate
• employees are freed from the routine task of price marking
• makes stock control and ordering process more precise
• shoppers get detailed receipts w product names and price
• working conditions at checkouts are quieter and less fatiguing - cashiers can give more friendly attention to customers
• assessing the sales success or failures of new products or marketing is quicker and more accurate

Question 11

halo effect

Answer 11

The Halo Effect is when one trait is used to make an overall judgement of that person or thing

eg. the word ‘organic’ on a food product label creates the overall judgement that the food product is the best