food tech SAC 4

outline the purpose of a food label

is to communicate crucial information, educate consumers to make informed decisions, give reassurance on safety and allow for easy comparison between products

compulsory on a food label

name of product, name & address of supplier, country of origin, weight, allergy warnings, storage instructions, date marking, list of ingredients, % labelling, nutrition information panel

not allowed on a food label

word healthy, false or misleading info, claim that it can cure a disease, claim that its weight slimming/reducing

optional on a food label

picture, barcode, serving sizes, health star rating, nutrition & health claims

nutritional content claim

refers to describing the presence of a food component, must be approved by FSANZ

nutritional content claim example

gluten free, low fat, low GI

health claim

informs consumers of a relationship between a food and a health effect, must be supported by scientific evidence

2 types of health claims

general level and high level

general level health claim

refers to the presence of a nutrient or substance of a food and the effect it can have on health, must be supported by scientific evidence and must not refer to a serious disease or condition

general level health claim example

calcium is good for bones

high level health claim

refers to the presence of a nutrient or substance and its relationship to a serious disease or condition, it alerts consumers that the food may have a health effect in relation to a serious disease and must be supported be scientific evidence

high level health claim example

diets high in calcium may reduce the risk of osteoporosis

halo health effect

refers to the use of words or pictures used to make a product appear healthier than it actually is

comparing order

energy, saturated fat, sugar, sodium, protein