Booklet explains food labels

A booklet from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) aims to make understanding the labels on food packaging more meaningful. ‘Understanding food labels’ is free.

Most food labels should display an ingredient list, nutrition information panel and some form of date mark. Labels should also name the supplier if more information is required. Fresh fruit, vegetables and takeaways don’t need to have a full label but safety information such as whether it contains nuts, should be displayed nearby or available if asked for.

Product with best-before dates on them can still be legally sold after the best-before date has passed. This date mark is simply an indication that the product’s peak quality has passed.

Safety information on food labels includes warnings about allergens and a use-by date or storage/cooking instructions. These are to ensure there is little chance of pathogen growth or toxin build-up by the time it is eaten.

Suitability information includes the best-before date, percentage labelling (providing information for consumers to compare the amount of a key ingredient such as the strawberries in strawberry jam) and nutrition information (allowing consumers to see the quantity of key nutrients in the product and compare this information across similar products).

Information that manufacturers can choose to put on their products such as advertising, nutrition claims and country of origin statements are also outlined. The booklet is at www.nzfsa.govt.nz.consumers/food-labelling/understanding-food-labels/ and printed copies are available by calling NZFSA’s freephone number 0800 693 721 or email info@nzfsa.govt.nz.