What is a food label, what is written on it?

What is a food label, what is written on it?

Packaged foods that are easily available in the market have become a major part of our diet. But when customers buy such packaged foods, they often look at their expiration date and price. There is a lot of important information on the back of the food package, but few people read it.

The information written on the back of packaged foods is called a food label. A label is a description or sign written, printed on the cover of a product that is being sold or transported.

It is important to look at the food label when buying packaged foods

The quality of the food inside can be assessed by looking at the label of packaged foods. The basis for buying something is that it contains a certain amount of vitamins or minerals. Also, if you know that the amount of other elements is not harmful to health, you can be confident when buying that food.

Through labeling, consumers know what nutrients are in what quantities. The daily amount of these nutrients is suitable for them and how much nutrition each consumption provides. Such information can be found through labeling.

Things to include on food labels

Name information

Packaged food should first state the name of the food. If it is made from a single item, its name should be mentioned. For example, if gram is packed, it should be written as gram, but if it is made from two or more items, the common name should be mentioned. If it is a mixture of lentils, it should be mentioned as mixed lentils and the names of the lentils mixed in the mixture should be mentioned.

Name and address of the producer and importer

The full name and address of the entrepreneur who produces or packages the food for sale and distribution should be clearly mentioned. If a trader imports from a third country, the full name and address of the importer should also be mentioned.

Provisions regarding the weight of food

The net weight or measurement of the packaged food should be mentioned and it should not be less than the stated quantity. If there are other small retail packs inside the packet, their minimum number should also be mentioned.

Production date, packaging date

The production date indicates the date on which the food was produced, while the packaging date indicates the date on which the food was packed. Therefore, packaged food should include the production and packing dates.

Best before date

Best before date refers to the period of time within which the food will remain of high quality when consumed. Various English words are used to indicate this, such as ‘best before’.

Batch number

The batch number is kept in a way that the manufacturer understands. This helps in recalling the food of that lot or batch from the market if there is any problem with the food.

Information on the composition of the food

The details of all the ingredients mixed during the preparation of the food should be clearly disclosed. For example, if there is a mix of pulses, the details of which pulses are mixed should be clearly mentioned.

Language to be written on the label

The food label must be in Nepali or English or both languages. So that the customer can easily read all the information written there. If the manufacturer wishes, he can prepare the details in other languages ​​by adding it to this language.

Nutritional information claimed on the label description

A food product cannot claim to have a nutritional content without disclosing the amount of the nutritional content. Advertising materials cannot also mention the presence of nutritional content without disclosing the amount of the nutritional content. Various claimed nutritional content must be clearly mentioned in the units specified by the Government of Nepal. For example, the mineral potassium is written in milligrams.

Other information on the food label

The industry registration number provided by the Department of Industries or the Cottage and Small Industries Office is mentioned.

The maximum retail price (MRP) including all taxes on the product and the negative effects that may occur from consuming the product, such as allergies caused by certain foods, must also be mentioned.