Food labelling, additives and dietary assessment Flashcards
(48 cards)
How can a food label be read for better health?
Types of fats /oils used?
How much sugar / salt per serving?
Are there additives / preservatives / artificial colours?
Is it nutrient-dense or calorie-dense?
GMO?
What information must appear on the label?
Name incl. name and address of manufacturer.
Ingedients list
Processing method of any ingredients
Weight / volume
Preparation and storage instructions
Macro-nutrient information
How are the ingredients listed?
All ingredients, including water, must be included.
Listed in order of weight, with the highest weight ingredient first.
When must a percentage of an ingredient be shown?
- When it’s highlighted by labeling or a picture.
- When it’s mentioned in the products name.
- If consumers would generally connect an ingredient with the product.
What nutrient information is mandatory on the label?
Energy value
Fat
- saturated fats
Carbohydrates
- Sugars
Protein
Salt
When might a vitamin or mineral be listed in the nutrient information?
Not mandatory but can be listed if 15% or more of the nutrient reference value (NRV) is contained per 100g/ml or per serving.
What do the Reference Intakes (RIs) show?
Maximum amount of calories, macronutrients, and salt that should be consumed in a day.
They are not a target.
What are RIs based on?
An average-sized woman doing an average amount of physical exercise.
What are the RIs for:
- Energy
- Fat
- Carbohydrates
- Protein
- Salt
Energy 2000 kcal
Fats less than 70g, of which saturates 20g
Carbs 260g, of which sugars 90g
Protein 50g
Salt less than 6g
How might the traffic light system on labels be misleading?
It does not indicate the nutritional value of the food.
Processed food with low nutritional value could appear to look good, whereas wholefoods (such as nuts) which are nutrient-dense appear to look bad.
How many allergens are there that must be highlighted if included in the ingredients or processing in pre-packed food?
Name 5
14 allergens:
Gluten
Eggs
Fish
Crustacians
Peanuts
Soya
Celery
Milk
Tree nuts
Mustard
Sesame
Sulphur dioxide
Lupin
Molluscs
Besides allergens, what additional warnings are required on the label?
- Alcohol content if above 1.2%
- GM ingredients above 0.9%
- If the produce has been irradiated
- If packaged using gas
Does ‘free-from’ mean the food is healthy?
No - just because it’s free from allergens does not mean it’s healthy. Can still be highly processed etc.
When is GMO required and not required to appear on labeling?
Presence of GMOs or ingredients produced from GMOs must be on the label.
Food produced with the help of GMO technology doesnt have to be stated on the label.
What are GMOs?
GMOs are living organisms whose genetic material has been manipulated through genetic engineering.
Europe and UK are officially GMO-free. The USA isn’t.
When can food be labelled as organic?
When at least 95% of the ingredients are organic.
Give 4 examples of misleading nutrition claims
Low calorie
No added sugar
No sugar (with artificial sweeteners)
Natural doesnt mean health
Low fat - high in others
List the 6 main categories of food additives, along with their main E numbers
- Colours E100s
- Preservatives E200s
- Antioxidants E300s
- Emulsifiers, stabilisers, thickeners E400s
- Flavour enhancers E600s
- Sweeteners E900s
What are the 3 forms of additives?
Artificial - made synthetically
Nature-identical - manufactured to copy substances found naturally in food
Natural - found naturally in food
What symptoms are associated with artificial colours? (2)
Hyperactivity
Poor concentration
What’s the purpose of preservatives?
Slow down the decomposition of food caused by air, bacteria, moulds and yeasts to prolong shelf life.
Name 3 common preservatives
Sodium benzoate E211
Sulphur dioxide E220
Sodium nitrite E251
Whats the purpose of antioxidant additives?
Not for our health - used to decrease the chances of oils and fats turning rancid to extend shelf life.
List 3 common synthetic antioxidants
E310
E319
E320
E321
