Food Label Terms You Should Know
The post-pandemic has seen a great shift in our mindsets about our relationships, attitudes, and especially health. We are kicking out bad habits, exercising more, and eating better. Part of that new outlook on health is understanding that eating better also means staying informed about what you consume. This means knowing how to read the labels of the products you buy and what they mean.
While some information stated on the packaging and labels of your favourite food products is easily understood, others are more technical and scientific. In other words, unless you work in food development or are well-versed in food science, you won’t know what they mean. Thanks to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), which oversees product labelling and packaging, and the Health Promotion Board (HPB), which regulates nutritional standards, we can trust that the claims, benefits, and ingredients listed on food labels and packaging are accurate. However, understanding them still needs some know-how. So, let’s explore some of these terms together.
What Do Some Nutritional Claims Really Mean?
So many non-conventional healthy food products are now claiming some nutritional benefits or indicating a healthier direction to fit a certain marketing angle that resonates with our current lifestyle choices. For example, sodas are making specific products with “less or zero sugar”, or “gluten-free pizzas”. Let’s see what terms can be confusing or misinform you when it comes to your favourite food products.
Very often, we see food and drinks labelled as “Lower in Sugar/ No Added Sugar” and this changes our perception of them as being the “healthier option”. However, what do they actually mean? According to the HPB, ‘lower in sugar’ is a tagline that is recommended for products which contain naturally occurring sugar or added sugar. The “No added sugar” tagline can only be used if there is no free sugar added to the product.
When you see the terms “Lower in Saturated Fat/ Cholesterol-Free”, know that these labels are only permitted on products that meet the criteria of nutrient claims regulated by HPB. So when you come across these claims on your favourite Cooking Oils, Olive Oil or Olive Spread, know that they have met these regulations.
If you are following a certain diet for health reasons or simply looking to eat better, it is best to look out for the HPB’s Healthier Choice symbol. These products are granted the certification because they meet the specific nutritional standards and criteria, giving you full confidence in the claims they make about the products.
What About Allergen Labels?
The most common part of labels that we look at is the ingredients and allergen labelling, possibly because we want to be careful of allergy-triggering ingredients, or we are avoiding certain ingredients. But here are fun facts you might not know about the list.
Ingredients are listed in order of most to least by weight. This is because it shows the proportions of the ingredients used within the product itself. According to an article, “This can help give you an idea of how much a particular ingredient is used in the food product. For example, if sugar is the first item listed, it tells you that sugar comprises the main ingredient component in the food product.”
While common allergens are always indicated as per SFA regulation, some terms like “May contain” can be confusing. This does not mean that these allergens are used in the production, but this disclaimer is added in for situations where the production of the products is in the same confinement as other products that contain those allergens. Thus, it is mentioned for cross-contamination risks.
Interpreting additives and E-numbers can be confusing for many of us, but it is important, especially if you only consume ‘halal’ ingredients. Additives are substances that contribute to the preservation or enhancement of food and drink products. They are usually mentioned or listed in the labels in codes. To be safe, do save a list you can download of E-numbers and what the codes stand for. However, it is easier for halal consumers to look for the halal certification stamp.
Why are Sustainability & Ethical Claims Important?
One of the features of labels and packaging is also the ethical and sustainable practices of these products. This is to ensure that the sourcing, production, and processes are aligned with consumers’ values and principles.
Surely you’ve seen labels that say “Ethically Sourced” or “Rainforest Alliance Certified” on locally-produced or imported products. These labels tell you that the processes include prioritising the well-being of workers, the environment, and the community.
There are also terms like “cage-free” and “Free range” that are more specific to the practice of how certain animals are cared for, as their products are produced for the market. They are more synonymous with animal products like meat or eggs.
Country of Origin labels are mandatory for all products under the SFA guidelines. They basically refer to the place where the handling of the food last took place. This label not only helps you understand where they are being produced, but also gives a sense of authenticity to the products, like Balsamic Vinegar, bearing the IGP logo, which not only proves that it originates from Italy, but also that they are produced using certain methods.
Understanding food labels and the art of reading labels is not only important when you are trying to eat better. It is still an issue of safety, dietary restrictions/avoidance, and sustainable principles. Try and look past tricky marketing terms and advertising language and check the meaning and authenticity of different certifications and claims. After a while, you can determine which products are not only delicious but also safe to consume. It is just a simple step towards eating better for you and your loved ones.