Food labelling - Other items on a food label

Question 1

Allergens

Answer 1

• There are 14 allergens that must be highlighted if included as an ingredient or processing aid in pre-packed foods
• Pre-packed foods must include an ingredient list on the label with allergen/s clearly identified by listing in bold, contrasting colours or by underlining them
• If products are sold in multi-packs, allergen information must be displayed on the outer packaging

Question 2

Allergen List

Answer 2

• Gluten
• Eggs
• Fish
• Crustaceans
• Peanut
• Soya
• Celery
• Milk
• Tree nuts
• Mustard
• Sesame
• Sulphur dioxide
• Lupin
• Molluscs

Question 3

Additional warnings

Answer 3

Certain products require an additional warnings on the label:
* Drinks with an alcohol content above 1.2%
* GM ingredients above 0.9%
* If the product has been irradiated
* The words ‘packaged in a protective atmosphere’ if packaged using gas (often reduce oxygen content and replace it with something like nitrogen or carbon dioxide–lots of different gases, vary depending on the food)

• Additional warnings apply to certain products. Details are available at:
  http://www.gov.uk/food-labelling-and-packaging/food-and-drink-_warnings

Question 4

Free-from foods

Answer 4

• If a label states that the product is free from a particular allergen it has to be based on rigourous controls
• All ingredients and packing materials must not contain the allergen. Cross-contamination from other foods made on site must be prevented
• Note: ‘free-from’ does not necessarily mean healthy

Question 5

Gluten-free labelling

Answer 5

Gluten-free labelling is the exception:
* The food can contain 20 mg / kg gluten
* The statement ‘No gluten-containing ingredients’ is no longer allowed

Question 6

Genetically modified organisms (GMO)

Answer 6

GMO’s are living organism whose genetic material has been manipulated through genetic engineering (GE)
* GM crops are manipulated to be resistant to pests and pesticides
* Europe and UK are officially GMO free. USA freely uses GMO crops in foods
* Any food from the US could be GM unless labelled as certified organic
* UK/EU: Must label the presence of GMO’s or ingredients produced from GMO’s (if >0.9%)
* Not required to label foods produced with the help of GMO technologies; e.g. GM enzymes to clot milk for cheese or products from animals fed on GMO feed, e.g. meat, eggs
* Common GM crops: corn, rice, soya, cotton

• Note: varied research links GMO is to infertility, immune issues, impaired insulin regulation and exhilarated ageing. As Naturopathic Nutritionists we strongly oppose GMO foods in the diet and the food chain

Question 7

Organic

Answer 7

• Pre-packed foods can only be labelled ‘organic’ if at least 95% of the ingredients are organic.
• Label must state where farmed ingredients in products were produced
• Must provide code number of certifying body. Retailers can label products organic if at least 95% of the products farmed ingredients are organic
• Products can only be sold direct to customers in the shop
• Must be certified by one of the organic regulatory bodies

Question 8

Misleading labels:

Answer 8

• Low-calorie: The difference may be negligible
• High-fibre: (cereal) – May still be high in salt, sugar and highly processed
• Low-fat: may still be high in sugar, additives and preservatives
• No added sugar: may still be high in naturally occurring sugars (fruit juice)
• No sugar: has artificial sweeteners when taste is sweet
• Natural: not everything labelled ‘natural’ is healthy or natural!