FOOD LABELLING ISSUES

BY XUHAIB

FOOD LABEL

INTRODUCTION

• Food labelling is a • tool to promote and protect public health by providing accurate nutritional information. • an instrument of marketing and product promotion. • label can reduce the information problem between producers and consumers.• Also reducing search costs for consumers.

LABELLING

• Labelling is any written, electronic, or graphic communications on the packaging. A panel found on a package of food which contains a variety of information about the nutritional value of the food item.

• OBJECTIVE OF LABELLING • Brand Identification • Description • Promotion

NEED

• Consumers often compare prices of food items in the grocery store to choose the best value for money. But comparing items using the food label can help us choose the best value for our health.

• For example, someone with high blood pressure who needs to watch salt (sodium) intake may have a choice of five different types of tomato soup on the rack. One can quickly and easily compare the sodium content of each product by looking at the part of the label that lists nutrition information to choose the one with the lowest

NEED• A food product constitutes a bundle of attributes that serve as critical

indicators for analyzing food quality and safety: • Search attributes are those for which consumer can obtain full information about the product prior to purchase (color, size, shape); • Experience attributes are those product characteristics that can only be determined after consumption (taste, flavor); and • Credence attributes are product characteristics that can be known only after a long lag; some credence attributes are hazards that cannot be determined with certainty (nutrition, pesticide residues, calorie).

INFORMATION ABOUT FOOD LABELLING

• Govt have started several rules that have to abide while labeling foods.

• Lets have a look on what is includes on food labeling and issues of labeling

NAME OF FOOD

• Brand name• What the product is• True nature of product to distinguish from

other product• Example• Mango juice and apple juice

BEST BEFORE OR USE BY DATE

• Sell by date • Use by date• Buy by date

Allergy warning

• What exactly is in product• Example some ingredient like caffeine over 150mg pel

litre• dizziness• diarrhea• increased thirst• insomnia• headache• fever• irritability

QUALITY INFORMATION

• State quantity in gm, kg, litre• Nutritional information

NAME AND ADRESS OF PRODUCT

• Complains if problem is there• Helps contact directly to producer• Helps producer to sort out problem

STORAGE CONDITIONS

• Should state ideal storage conditions to maintain quality

• Example• Must store below 20c

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

• If products either fish, olive oil, honey, fruits and vegetables have been exported.

• It should have indicated country of origin on product.

INFORMATION REGARDING VEGETARIAN AND NON VEGETARIAN

• Many religions with restrictions do not eat non vegetable products

• So information regarding this should be given on the lebel.

LABELLING SYMBOLS

FOOD SAFETY AND STANDARDS LABELLING REGULATION 2011

• General Requirements: 1. Every pre-packaged food shall carry a label containing information.2. The particulars of declaration required under these Regulations to be specified on the label shall be in English or Hindi 3. Pre-packaged food shall not be described or presented on any label or in any labelling manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character in any respect;4. Label in pre-packaged foods shall be applied in such a manner that they will not become separated from the container.

WHAT SHOULD THE CONSUMER SEE IN A FOOD LABEL?

• As per the Indian Regulations a food label must have1. Product name and category of food2. An ingredient list in descending order of weight3. Logo for Vegetarian / Non Vegetarian Food4. Nutrition facts panel or information which includes energy, protein,

carbohydrate (sugars) & fat5. The shelf life (Use by or Best before date)6. Storage conditions7. The name & address of the manufacturer, packer and / or seller8. The country of origin (in case of imported foods)9. The weight10. Instructions for use.

WHAT SHOULD THE CONSUMER SEE IN A FOOD LABEL?

• Health claims establish a relationship between a food & disease or medical condition.

• For example claims like ‘Good for Heart’, ‘Good for Growing Children’ etc.

• Nutritional claims quickly inform a consumer of nutritional value of a product for example ‘Low Fat’ or ‘Zero Cholesterol’.

CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF FOOD ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE LABELLING REQUIREMENTS

• For example, foods served in hotels, hospitals, by vendors like halwaiis etc.

• Other food products include raw agricultural commodities like rice, wheat, cereals, sugar, salt, non-nutritive products like tea, coffee, spices, processed and pre-packaged assorted vegetables and fruits, products that comprise single ingredients like papad, pickle.

THANKU