There are so many food products on the market that it would take an infinite amount of time to decode the packaging to understand its composition. And then, according to statistics, it takes no more than 30 seconds to choose a product! So it's hardly surprising that we let ourselves be fooled: reading the list of ingredients on the packaging makes us feel more responsible and better informed about the product and its effects on our health...
We may assume that everything that is subject to over-the-counter sales is not only authorized, but also edible. But edible doesn't also mean "good for you", and this is typical of the packaging, which emphasizes all the merits of the products, and instead specifies, in small print, the contraindications. A veritable guide to buying, the food label contains essential information, since a 1984 decree makes it possible to answer the basic questions: the composition of the food and its expiration date.
But the problem is that, while many of us can read on the Internet, we can no longer "read" food packaging. Or at least, our eyes are drawn to the "flashy" packaging, to the headlines, and not to the information printed on the back of the pack, which is written so small that you first have to fetch the glasses, and then take 10 minutes to read them!
The regulations
By law, the label must include several mandatory statements describing the foodstuff. The producer must ensure that these are indicated on the label:
- The percentage of ingredients, in descending order of weight (if you read the label of a self-proclaimed yogurt that says "rich in fruit", you'll learn that it actually contains only 5.7% concentrated fruit purée!)
- Additives and their function, whether natural or artificial.
- The main allergenic ingredients (gluten, shellfish, soy, etc.).
- Name and address of a responsible person (for complaints).
- The date of manufacture and the date of minimum durability or, in the case of highly perishable foodstuffs, the use-by date and storage conditions.
Misleading labels
Animal fat, sugar: some ingredients don't sell much, while others (fruit, vegetables) do. To make a product appear less sweet, producers separate the words "sugar" and "glucose syrup". And to make a children's cookie seem "richer in fruit", they fill it with the words "fruit-based preparation", even if the presence of fruit is minimal... Every trick in the book! One thing is certain: the "captivating" food product seeks to highlight all the qualities of the product itself, and hide its flaws.
Misleading labels: how to defend yourself?
Choosing a tin of lentils or a packet of appetizers requires a great deal of knowledge: reading, writing, biochemistry, nutrition. And then there's marketing, economics and the legal aspects of competition and consumer affairs... So don't be fooled by packaging images and advertising claims. Check the quantity of the main ingredient that makes you want to buy the product. Read between the lines and take a closer look at product labels that claim "5 fruits and vegetables a day" or "reduced in ...".
The good news
Yes, you can make compotes without coloring, pure butter cookies, pure fruit juices without adding anything, because in this case, it's called "fruit juice"...
Find out more
www.securiteconso.org (Consumer Safety Commission)
