Science Communication, Group M

Activity 3

Do you know what you eat?

Assignment - Ingredients listed on food labels

1. Choose one ingredient from your list, preferably an additive or preservative or one of the ingredients you did not know. Record your choosen ingredient on the list - if somebody else has already selected that specific ingredient, choose another one. List of ingredients
2. Do some research about this ingredient and complete the Word template for it. You should have
   1. a photo of the ingredient
   2. The name
   3. its chemical formula
   4. why it is used in food products
   5. why the human body needs it
   6. any allergies of side effects associate with it

Example

1. The ingredients on 'my' label 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).
    
2. What is:
   1. 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).
       
   2. 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)
       
3. And more ...

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