Food Labelling Flashcards
Who is responsible for food labelling in Canada?
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
What does food that is packaged contain?
Mandatory information set by CFIA
What do the majority of food products require?
A list of ingredients
List four key labeling elements mandatory on most packaged food products
Nutrition facts table, list of ingredients, allergen declaration and gluten sources, date marking
What could you use the nutrition facts table for?
To determine a foods nutritional value and compare it to other products to make healthy food choices
What could you use the list of ingredients for?
To figure out what ingredients primarily make up your food products
What could you use the allergen declaration and gluten sources for?
To avoid specific food allergens or sensitivities in food products
What could you use the date marking for?
To determine how long your unopened food product will last and the safety of certain products
What is the % Daily Value?
The % Daily Value helps you determine if the food product contains a little or a lot of a certain nutrient. In general, 5% or less is considered a little and 15% of more is considered a lot. The % Daily Value for nutrients is based on the highest recommended intakes for people more than two years of age (not including pregnant women) as set by Health Canada.
In what order are ingredients listed in the list of ingredients?
Ingredients are listed in order of weight, with the main ingredient first.
How are priority food allergens and gluten sources marked on a label?
Food allergens or gluten sources must be written in commonly used words, such as “milk” or “wheat”
What is the difference between Expiration Dates and Best Before dates?
An expiration date is mandatory on certain food products. These food products should not be eaten if the expiration date has passed. The best before date tells you the anticipated amount of time an unopened food product, when stored properly, will keep its freshness, taste, nutritional value, or any other qualities claimed by the company. The best before date does not guarantee product safety. The best before date also does not apply after a product had been opened, as opened food products may go bad long before the best before date.
What is the difference between the statements “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada?”
A “Product of Canada” label means that all or virtually all of the food, processing, and labour used to make the food were grown or raised by Canadian farmers, and prepared or packaged by Canadian food companies. The claim “Made in Canada” means that the manufacturing or processing of the food occurred in Canada.
What are the two types of nutrition claims?
There are two types of nutrition claims: nutrient content claims and health claims. A nutrient content claim describes the amount of a nutrient, such as calories, fats, and fibre in a food product. A health claim describes the potential health effects of a food product if consumed within a healthy diet.
