If you have resolved to prioritize your health, it is essential to make informed choices when you are at the store and have to choose between different products. However, deciding which one is better can sometimes be challenging. In such cases, it is recommended to read the label and analyze the information provided to make an informed decision.
Food labels are often taken for granted, but they actually play a crucial role in maintaining our health and wellness. These labels not only ensure that the food we consume is what we expect it to be but also provide valuable information about the ingredients and nutrients present in the product. In essence, food labels are a reliable source of information that educates us about the foods we eat on a daily basis.
As international trade continues to increase, it becomes increasingly difficult to identify the origin of our food producers. However, trustworthy food labelling has emerged as a solution to this problem. The Codex Alimentarius Commission, a collaborative effort between the FAO and the WHO, is responsible for setting global standards for food labelling. It is mandatory for all countries to follow these standards while labelling their food items, especially those intended for sale in the international market.
Providing clear and accurate information about the food we consume can have a significant impact on our health and well-being. As a knowledgeable individual, you may already know the importance of food.
Labels on food items provide important information about their nutritional value, including vitamins, minerals, calories, and fats. This information is crucial for maintaining a healthy diet. By checking labels, you can ensure that you are getting enough micronutrients, avoid deficiencies, and keep your weight in check by monitoring your calorie and saturated fat intake. Additionally, you can limit your consumption of sugar and salt, and ensure that you are eating a well-balanced meal to prevent illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.
Labels on food packaging are essential in keeping us safe from the harmful effects of contaminated food. According to statistics, over 600 million individuals fall ill, with 420,000 deaths recorded annually as a consequence of consuming food compromised by bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, and chemicals. By providing crucial information about the product’s correct use and storage, labels play a crucial role in preserving the safety of our food.
Some of the design companies offer top-quality printers for food labels in a range of finishes, colours, materials and shapes for short, medium and longer runs on a tight deadline. They can support you with the printing of brand-related food labels, ingredients, allergen information, best-before and sell by dates, and barcode printing.
one of the primary objectives of food labelling is to prevent fraudulent activities, such as selling counterfeit products. By establishing internationally recognized labelling standards, consumers can be protected from false advertising and misrepresentation on packaging. For instance, when purchasing chocolate or fish, it is important to ensure that the product being sold is actually what it claims to be.
Recognize the ingredients that may trigger harmful reactions – Food reactions affect roughly 10-25% of people in developed countries. common allergenic foods include milk, peanuts, soybeans, crustaceans, eggs, tree nuts, and fish. Consuming something that triggers an allergy attack due to unknown ingredients can be dangerous. Severe allergy attacks may occur. Food labels provide information on ingredients to avoid, eliminating the risk of harm.
Correctly reading food labels can help prevent food waste by informing you about a product’s expiration and safety. Date-marking indicates food safety, informing you how long the product is safe to eat. To avoid sickness, it is important to pay attention to these dates. However, misunderstandings regarding “use by” versus “best before” dates can contribute to food wastage. In the EU, around ten percent of wasted food is attributed to food labelling. By Educating consumers and those involved in the supply chain, we can reduce food wastage and uphold the intended purpose of date marking, which is to ensure food safety.
Purchasing food labelled with its origin, such as Colombian Coffee from Colombia, Manchego cheese from Spain, Darjeeling tea from India, or Kona Coffee from the USA, can catch the attention of customers and increase the value of the product as well as the profit of the producer. According to a study by EBRD and FAO, labelling specific geographical locations on nine food products increased their final price by 20 to 50 percent. Nowadays, Consumers tend to associate the quality and taste of food with specific regions.
