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Food Labels
Science Communication, 2011 |
Activity 7 |
Food labels as science communication tool |
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There is a lot of information on the Web about food labels and the new regulations that will become effective soon (below are a few links). Please take the time to get to grips with the new food label regulations.
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Assignment- Ingredients listed on food labels
- A product or a group of products has been allocated to each group - check your allocation at label groups.
- Familiarise yourself with the latest legislation on food labeling .
- Each member in your group has to choose 2 different items/brands of the product that was allocated to the group. You have to communicate with each other to avoid choosing identical brands.
- List all the ingredients of your two brands as they appear on the food label - in the exact order. You don't have to buy the product, you can do this in the shop or just take a photo.
- If there are any ingredients that are unfamiliar to you, find out what they are.
- Choose one ingredient from your list, preferably an additive or preservative or one of the ingredients you did not know; write a short paragraph about it - what it is and why it is used in your product.
- Try to find something on the label of one of your brands that the manufacturers will have to change to comply with the new legislation.
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Example
- The ingredients on the label above are:
Fresh chillies, natural fermented spirit vinegar, pure sunflower oil, garlic,
fresh lemon juice, fresh herbs, salt (1.2%), black pepper, mustard, xantham gum (E415), natural lactic acid (E270).
- What is:
- xantham gum (E415)?
According to food-info.net it is "A natural polysaccharide, produced by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris from sugar and molasses." It is used as a as a thickener and emulsifier (ingredientwizard.com).
- natural lactic acid (E270)?
According to www.lactic-acid.com it is "the acid ingredient of sour dairy products, fermented fruits and vegetables and sausages". Mary Spilva says: "As a food additive it increases the antioxidant properties of other substances and can be used to add a bitter taste." (http://www.spilva.com/additives/e270.htm)
- And more ...
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References & Resources
- Department of Health. ???? Use your Labels. Issued by the Directorate Food and Cosmetics,
Republic of South Africa. Viewed online on 22 February 2010 at: www.allergysa.org/C_OL_Food_002.asp
- Department of Health. ???? Department of Health Documents. Viewed online on 26 January 2010 at:
www.doh.gov.za/docs/index.html
- Govenment Gazette. 2007. Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (54/1974): Regulations relating to the labelling and advertising of foodstuffs.
Gazette No: 30075 Notice No: 642 Regulation Gazette No: 8718 Date: 20070720. Viewed online on 26 January 2010 at: search.sabinet.co.za/WebZ/pdf/ggaz_pdf/2007/jul/gg30075_nn642a.pdf?
sessionid=01-49060-1558864128&format=F&dbname=gov
- Steenkamp, Gabi. Sept 2007. Food Labelling -
New Food Labelling and Advertising Regulations. Viewed online on 26 January 2010 at www.gabisteenkamp.co.za/food%20labelling.htm
- The European Food Information Council. January 2010. Global Consumer attitudes to nutrition information on food labels. Viewed online on 26 January at: www.eufic.org/page/en/show/consumer-insights/fftid/attitudes_nutrition_information_food_labels/
- USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. 2006. Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards for the Republic of South Africa. GAIN Report viewed online on 26 January 2010 at: www.fas.usda.gov/GainFiles/200607/146208337.pdf
- Wageningen University. 2010. Food-Info site. Viewed online on 5 February 2010 at: www.food-info.net/uk/index.htm
- Wikipedia. February 2010. Food Additive. Viewed online on 5 February 2010 at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_additives
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