Chapter 6 – Food Packaging, Labelling and Product Brand

Vocabulary flashcards summarising definitions, roles, regulations, and key terms related to food packaging, labelling, brand names, patents, and trademarks.

Food Packaging

The practice of enclosing food to protect it from physical, chemical, and biological contamination or tampering; active packaging is the most common system used for food preservation.

Functional Role of Packaging

Provides physical protection against damage, contamination, and spoilage.

Informational Role of Packaging

Supplies mandatory or useful data (e.g., ingredients, nutrition, storage, date marks) to consumers and regulators.

Promotional Role of Packaging

Attracts attention, differentiates the product, and stimulates sales through design, colour, and branding elements.

Attributes of Good Packaging

Attractive, convenient, protective, non-reactive, light, tear-resistant, easy to apply, non-flavour-imparting, and economical.

Malaysian Food Regulations 1985 – Part 6

Section governing materials and conditions for food packages; prohibits harmful, damaged, or recycled packages that do not meet specified criteria.

Food Labelling

Any tag, brand, mark, pictorial or descriptive matter on or near a food container conveying information such as ingredients, quality, or nutrition to consumers.

Malaysian Food Regulations 1985 – Part 4

Section detailing general labelling requirements, language, form, size of letters, date marking, nutrition labelling, and permitted claims.

Date Marking

A permanently marked expiry or minimum durability date on a food package, expressed in clear day/month/year format for consumer interpretation.

Expiry Date

The date after which a food, if stored as directed, may no longer retain its expected quality attributes.

Fifth Schedule Foods

Specific products (e.g., bread, infant formula, pasteurised juices) that must carry date markings under Malaysian regulations.

Nutrient Content Claim

Statement describing the level of a nutrient in a food (e.g., "low fat," "high calcium").

"Low in" or "Free of" Claim Conditions

Permitted when the nutrient amount meets regulatory thresholds (e.g., ≤3 g fat/100 g solids for "low fat").

"Source of" or "High in" Claim Conditions

Allowed when a nutrient reaches ≥7.5 % NRV per reference amount for "source" or double that value for "high in."

Nutrient Comparative Claim

Claim that compares nutrient or energy levels between similar foods (e.g., "25 % less sugar than regular product").

Nutrient Function Claim

Describes a nutrient’s physiological role in growth, development, or normal body functions (e.g., "Vitamin C enhances iron absorption").

Enriched (Food)

Grain products in which nutrients lost during refining are replaced to original levels.

Fortified (Food)

Products that have vitamins or minerals added beyond their original levels to enhance nutritional value.

Supplement

Any added mineral, vitamin, or essential fatty acid intended to improve or enrich a food’s nutrient content.

Pure (Food Claim)

Indicates the food contains no added substances other than those essential for its processing.

Brand Name

A name, logo, slogan, or design scheme that symbolizes and differentiates a product or service in the marketplace.

Characteristics of a Good Brand Name

Short, simple, memorable, pleasing, pronounceable in one way and in all languages, adaptable, timeless, and non-offensive.

Patent

Government grant giving an inventor exclusive rights to a new, inventive, industrially applicable product or process for up to 20 years.

Classes of Patents

Include methods (art), machines, manufactured articles, compositions, improvements thereof, and ornamental designs.

Registration of Patent

Takes roughly 5–7 years; validity up to 20 years from filing with annual renewals starting the second year after grant.

Importance of Patent

Provides protection, recognition, licensing revenue, investment incentive, and asset value for inventions.

Trademark

Distinctive name, word, logo, or symbol that identifies and differentiates goods or services from others.

Registration of Trademark

Usually 2–3 years; valid 10 years from filing and renewable indefinitely in 10-year periods.

Importance of Trademark

Creates market recognition, links advertising to product identity, and should be simple, distinctive, and memorable.