When we buy food in supermarkets, we often look for information such as the production date and shelf life of the food on the packaging. These information belong to the content of the food label. In fact, there are many other information in food labels, which are often ignored by us.
Food label refers to the words, graphics, symbols and all descriptions on food packaging. It is a description of food quality characteristics, safety characteristics, eating or drinking instructions.
The food label shall indicate the following items:
①Name, specification, net content, production date;
② Ingredients or ingredient list;
③Name, address and contact information of the producer;
④ shelf life;
⑤Product standard code;
⑥Storage conditions;
⑦The general name of the food additive used in the national standard;
⑧ production license number;
⑨ Other matters that must be indicated by laws, regulations or food safety standards.
Infants and other special groups of main and supplementary food, the label should also indicate the main nutrients and their content.
The label of pre-packaged food should indicate the list of ingredients, except for single-ingredient foods. The list of ingredients should be titled "Ingredients" or "List of ingredients". Various ingredients should be arranged one by one in the descending order of the amount added during the manufacture or processing of food, and the ingredients with an added amount of not more than 2% may not be arranged in descending order. During food manufacturing or processing, the added water should be indicated in the ingredient list. Edible packaging should also indicate the original ingredients in the ingredient list. Such as edible capsules, candy rice paper.
Food labeling serves as a means of information dissemination to communicate with food producers, sellers, and consumers, enabling consumers to identify, protect themselves and guide consumption through the content of food labels. According to the special information provided on the food label, relevant administrative departments can confirm whether the food meets the requirements of relevant laws and regulations, protect the health and interests of consumers, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of food producers and distributors, and provide fair competition. Promotional tools.
Food nutrition label is to provide consumers with food nutrition information and description of its characteristics, including nutrition ingredient list, nutrition claim and nutrition function claim. The nutrient composition table is a standardized table that indicates the name and content of energy and nutrient components in food and their percentage of the nutrient reference value (NRV). The nutrient composition table includes 5 basic elements: header (with "nutrition composition table" as the header), name of nutrient composition, content, NRV% [referring to the percentage of energy or nutrient content in the corresponding nutrient reference value (NRV)] and Box (in table or corresponding form). When labeling food nutrients, the four core nutrients of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, and sodium and their contents should be declared first. Companies can voluntarily declare energy and nutrients other than core nutrients, such as dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. In addition, when hydrogenated and/or partially hydrogenated fats and oils are contained in food ingredients or used in the production process, the content of trans fat (acid) should be declared.
Nutrition claim: ①Content claim: A claim describing the level of energy or nutrient content in a food. ②Comparison claim: A claim after comparing the energy value or nutrient content of similar foods that consumers are familiar with.
Nutrition function claims refer to claims that certain nutrients can maintain the normal growth, development and normal physiological functions of the human body. The same product can simultaneously claim the function of two or more qualified ingredients.
The indications of food nutrition labels should be true and objective, not false, and must not exaggerate the nutritional effects of the product. Any product labeling and publicity shall not delete, modify or add nutrition claim methods and terms, nor express or imply that it has the effect of curing diseases.
Through the understanding of the above concepts, you can have a new understanding of food labels. When you buy food, you can have a clearer understanding of the ingredients and nutrients of the food, and choose products that are more suitable for you and your family.
The above content comes from the "Food Nutrition and Hygiene" published by China Agriculture Press. This textbook is a textbook planned by the Ministry of Agriculture for general higher education during the "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" period. It is mainly used by students majoring in food, nutrition and related fields, as well as food science, The reference of scientific researchers and teachers of nutrition and other disciplines is also of reference value for ordinary consumers who are concerned about food hygiene and their own nutrition and health.