What is a Food Label?
Unlike the Nutrition Facts label, the food label provides a detailed overview of the product. It is not limited to just nutritional numbers or values. For example, a standard food label covers the product name, brand, manufacturer information, ingredient list, allergen information, and nutrition facts. Hence, a food label helps consumers make informed choices based on various factors, not just nutritional content.
Food labels often provide additional information beyond the Nutrition Facts label. Here are a few examples:
Country of Origin:
Food labels indicate the food’s country of origin, providing consumers with information about where the food comes from.
Organic Certification:
Organic-certified food labels feature logos or information signifying adherence to specific organic farming standards. It indicates the avoidance of synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, and artificial additives.
Health Claims:
Health claims highlight the positive attributes or potential health benefits of the product. Many food products boast claims like “good source of fibre” or “good source of calcium” in bold letters. While these statements sound promising, they simply indicate that the food contains at least 10% of the daily value for that particular nutrient.
Health claims can be beneficial, especially for individuals with specific health concerns. For instance, if someone is at risk for high blood pressure, they might seek out a nutrient content claim on a food product that indicates it is “low sodium.”
Ingredient List:
If a food product contains multiple ingredients, the label must include an ingredient list. The ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, โปรโมชั่นพิเศษจาก UFABET สมัครตอนนี้ รับโบนัสทันที with those in the most significant amounts appearing first. This information is especially essential for individuals with food sensitivities or allergies, those adhering to specific dietary restrictions, or individuals following a particular eating style.
Use-By or Best-Before Date:
Understanding the labels “use-by” and “best-before” is crucial for maintaining food safety and quality. The “use-by” date is critical for perishable items, indicating the last day the product is considered safe to consume. After this date, foods may become unsafe due to the growth of bacteria that could cause food poisoning. Therefore, it’s advisable to strictly adhere to this date for perishable goods like dairy, meat, and some ready-to-eat salads.
On the other hand, the “best-before” date refers to when a non-perishable item.
Canned goods or dry pasta, is likely to start losing its optimum texture, flavour, and nutritional value. However, consuming products past their “best-before” date doesn’t necessarily mean they’re unsafe. These items may still be edible beyond this date, but their quality might not be as good. It’s a guide rather than a strict rule, though it’s advisable to use caution and rely on sensory checks (smell, taste, texture) to decide whether a food past its “best-before” date is still enjoyable and safe to eat.
Directions for Use:
Directions for use provide instructions on how to prepare or consume the food product properly. Consumers must follow the directions to enjoy the product as intended and avoid any improper use that could trigger potential risks.
Storage Instructions:
Proper storage instructions help prevent spoilage, maintain freshness, and ensure the product meets safety standards. Directions such as refrigeration, freezing, or keeping the product in a cool, dry place can guide consumers on how to store the product to maintain its quality and safety.