This month:
Understanding food labels
Decoding the nutrition label
Tips for finding allergens in the label
What are E numbers, and should we avoid them in our diet?
"Use by" and "best before" dates: what's the difference?
Food quality logos in Europe
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Understanding food labels
There is a lot of information on food packages and many of us find it a bit overwhelming. Nevertheless, food labels can help us make better decisions, so it is important to learn how to understand them.
There are different kinds of food labels, providing information on nutrition, portion size, allergens, health claims and symbols, sustainability and more.
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Decoding the nutrition label
Labelling the nutritional content of food is important not only because we have a right to know what is in our food, but also to help us make better choices and follow a healthy, well-balanced diet. Do you know what information you can find on food packages, and what it means?
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Tips for finding allergens in the label
For those of us with food allergies, checking the label is critical. Mandatory labels list allergenic ingredients used in a product, while precautionary labels warn us when a product may unintentionally contain traces of an allergen, for example, when a product was made in a factory that also handles allergens. Ingredients in a familiar product can change, so remember to check the labels regularly!
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What are E numbers, and should we avoid them in our diet?
An E number is simply the code to identify the additive that has been approved by EFSA as safe to use. Plus, it’s a convenient way to label permitted additives across all the languages in the EU.
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"Use by" and "best before" dates: what's the difference?
While food may not be safe to eat after the “use by” date, the “best before" date is about food quality – it’s normally safe to eat, though the taste, texture, or smell might not be at its best. Trust your senses!
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Food quality logos in Europe
Ever heard of PDO, PGI and TSG?
In Europe, some agricultural products and foods are labelled with origin and quality logos. They allow us to easily recognise these products, and rely on their authenticity in terms of regional origin or traditional production (e.g. Jamón Serrano, Roquefort cheese, Salame Cremona or Mozzarella).
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