Food Labelling and Nutritional Labelling PDF

FOOD LABELLING AND NUTRITIONAL LABELLING GROUP 2 TOPICS started with: Food Labelling Mandatory Label Information International Food Labelling Standards Codex Alementrius Nutrition L...

FOOD LABELLING AND NUTRITIONAL LABELLING GROUP 2 TOPICS started with: Food Labelling Mandatory Label Information International Food Labelling Standards Codex Alementrius Nutrition Labelling Policies and Guidelines of Food and Nutrition Labelling in Philippines  IN TRODUCTION Food labeling is a critical aspect of consumer protection and public health. It provides essential information about the nutritional content, ingredients, and potential allergens in food products. Effective labeling helps consumers make informed choices and promotes transparency in the food industry. Components of Food Labels Nutrition Facts Panel Ingredients List: Allergen Information Serving Size Expiration Date 1. FOOD LABELLING A food label, the information presented on food product, is one of the most important and direct means of communicating information to the consumer. The internationally accepted definition of a food label is any tag, brand, mark, pictorial or other descriptive matter, written, printed, stencilled, marked, embossed or impressed on, or attached to, a container of food or food product. This information, which includes items such as ingredients, quality and nutritional value, can accompany the food or be displayed near the food to promote its sale.. In the realm of product labelling, 5 distinct types of product labels fulfil unique roles. These types are brand labels, informative labels, descriptive labels, and grade labels. Understanding their distinctions will help guide how to structure information and where to display it on your product. Nutrition Facts Panel Ingredients List Allergen Information Expiration Date Serving Size  Nutrition Facts Panel: This section provides detailed information about the nutritional content, including calories, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Nutrition Facts Example: Product: Granola Bar Serving Size: 1 bar (30g) Calories: 150 Total Fat: 6g Sodium: 75mg Total Carbohydrates: 22g Protein: 3g Ingredients List: Ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight. This helps consumers understand what is in the product. Ingredients List Example: Product: Tomato Sauce Ingredients: Tomatoes, water, onion, sugar, salt, basil, garlic powder, citric acid.  Allergen Information: Labels must highlight common allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. Allergen Information Example: Product: Peanut Butter Allergen Warning: Contains peanuts. May contain traces of tree nuts. Serving Size: This indicates the recommended portion size and is crucial for understanding the nutritional values provided. Serving size examples :as a common household measure that is appropriate to the food (such as cup, tablespoon, piece, slice, or jar), followed by the metric amount in grams (g) based on the amount of food that people may typically eat at one time Expiration Date: Indicates the date by which the product should be consumed for optimal quality. Expiration date example: MMDDYY, where “MM” refers to the month, “DD” refers to the date, and “YY” refers to the year 2. MANDATORY LABEL INFORMATION 2. MANDATORY LABEL INFORMATION 1. Product Name The name of the food should be visible on the product label. Food label manufacturers should be specific in adding description clearly state the product’s characteristics. Food packaging and labelling may also include the treatment used for a product such as UHT, Sterilized, Freeze-Dried, and others.  2. Brand Name The registered trademark of a company’s brand name must be printed on the label. This is a unique identifier that food label manufacturers should take note of. It is also registered with the FDA.  3. Ingredients Food products should include labels that provide the complete details of the ingredients used. Food label manufacturers should be able to present information in descending order or according to proportion. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR FOOD LABEL MANUFACTURERS Food allergen information must be visible below the list of ingredients. This should disclose the components used in a product. Food label manufacturers should not overlook the required information based on food packaging and labelling standards. They are essential as they warn consumers of possible allergic reactions they may cause.  4. Net Content To be clear, net weight and gross weight are two different things. Net weight is required on product labels to represent food volume minus the actual packaging. It must also be declared in units using the metric system. NOTE: Drained weight is also required to be declared for food products packed in a liquid medium. It represents the actual weight of the food product once the aqueous solution is discarded.  5. Manufacturer Details The name and the address of the manufacturer are vital for all locally manufactured items. Food packaging and labelling require the manufacturer’s contact details. This is to provide consumers with a reference in case they have inquiries about the food product they purchase. NOTE: For manufacturing companies with plants in different locations, the head address would be enough as long as a traceability code is added.  6. Lot Identification This refers to the code that uses a mix of numbers and letters in reference to the batch of products. This is crucial for product identification and tracking and must not be missed out by food label manufacturers.  7. Storage Food label manufacturers must provide consumers with essential information such as storage conditions that must also be found on product labels. This type of food packaging and labelling information will guide consumers in properly stocking food products after opening.  8. Best Before Date Expiration and Use by dates are some of the most common information that consumers usually search for. It is an important marking that food label manufacturers should take note of as it reassures product quality.  9. Instructions The direction of use should be visible on the label. This food packaging and labelling information are especially important for products that require certain instructions to be properly consumed.  10. Nutritional Information Nutrients that are claimed to be in the product must be declared. Food label manufacturers should include the number of nutrients and other vitamins and minerals that a product has.  3. INTERNATIONAL FOOD LABELLING STANDARDS In 2014 at the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2), governments affirmed that “empowerment of consumers is necessary through improved and evidence-based health and nutrition information and education to make informed choices regarding consumption of food products for healthy dietary practices”.  4. CODEX ALIMENTRIUS The Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally recognized standards, guidelines, and codes of practice aimed at ensuring food safety and quality. It was established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. Food Safety: It provides rules to prevent food contamination or spoilage that could make people sick. Food Labeling: It sets guidelines on what information should appear on food packages, so consumers know what they’re buying (e.g., ingredients, allergens). Food Additives and Contaminants: Codex limits the use of chemicals or additives in food and sets maximum allowable levels for any harmful substances that might be present. Hygiene Practices: It gives instructions on how to keep food production areas clean, from farms to factories, to prevent contamination. Food Processing Methods: There are rules on how food should be processed and handled to maintain its quality and safety during production. Consequences in the Philippines 1. Administrative Penalties Fines: Companies found in violation may be subject to monetary penalties. The amount can vary based on the severity of the violation. Suspension or Revocation of Licenses: The FDA can suspend or revoke business licenses and permits for non-compliance with food safety regulations. 2. Product Recalls If a product is found to be non-compliant with safety standards or poses a health risk, the FDA may mandate a recall of the product from the market, which can lead to significant financial losses. 3. Civil Liabilities Companies may be liable for damages caused by unsafe products, leading to civil lawsuits from affected consumers or parties. 4. Criminal Penalties In cases of gross negligence or severe violations that endanger public health, individuals or companies may face criminal charges, resulting in: Imprisonment: Those responsible for severe violations can be sentenced to imprisonment. Higher Fines: Criminal penalties often involve larger fines compared to administrative penalties. 5. Legal Actions Affected individuals may file lawsuits against companies for harm caused by unsafe food products, leading to additional financial consequences. 6. Public Health Risk Implications Violations can lead to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, resulting in broader public health crises and potential government intervention. Regulatory Framework The enforcement of these penalties is primarily guided by: Republic Act No. 3720 (Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) Republic Act No. 10611 (Food Safety Act of 2013)  5. NUTRITIONAL LABELLING Nutrition labels describe the nutrient content of foods and are intended help the consumer in food selection.The nutrition fact label or nutrition information panel shows the number of nutrients in relation to the usua serving in terms of household measures, weight, or volume. The nutrition label provides information that allows consumers to make better choices. It gives the opportunity to compare similar foods to find which is healthier. Moreover, reading the nutrition label helps consumer with health conditions and with a specific diet, make wise decisions.2 It allows manufacturers the opportunity to show the healthy aspects of the products.  Nutrition Facts Label Nutrition facts are presented in tabular form and all nutrient quantities are declared in relation to the average or usual serving in terms of slices, pieces, and specified weight or volume. The following are stated in the nutrition facts label, starting from the top: 1. Serving size and the total number of servings per pack/package 2. Calories per serving 3. Macronutrients – Carbohydrates, Total Sugars, Dietary Fiber, Total Fat, Saturated Fat, Trans Fat, Protein (in grams) and Cholesterol (in mg) 4. Micronutrients – Sodium, Vitamins and Minerals expressed in mg, mcg, or IU or the % Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENI), or both  Nutrition Facts Label The %RENI (Recommended Energy Nutrient Intake) is based on the 2015 Philippine Dietary Reference Intake of the DOST-FNRI Reference Adult Requirement of 19- 29 years old (2590 calories). A RENI of 30% for vitamins and minerals is high.4  Nutrition Facts Label On the other hand, the % Daily Value, developed by US FDA, specifies how much the nutrient per serving of food contributes to the total daily intake. The % Daily Value is based on a 2000-calorie diet for healthy adults.5 5% DV or less of a nutrient per serving is considered low 20% DV or more of a nutrient per serving is considered high Nutrition Facts Label  Health vs. Nutrition Claims Health claims are “any representation that states, suggests, or implies that a relationship exists between a food or a constituent of that food and health”.6 Nutrition claims, on the other hand, are “any representation which states, suggests or implies that a food has particular nutritional properties including but not limited to the energy value and to the content of protein, fat and carbohydrates, as well as the content of vitamins and minerals”.  Health vs. Nutrition Claims  Food Label vs. Nutrition Label Food label describes the overall information of the food product. Parts of a food label include the Principal and Alternate Principal Display Panels containing the name of food/product identity and net content declaration, and the Information Panel, containing the name and address of the manufacturer, ingredient list, nutrition label, and any required allergy label. Nutrition label is a part of the food label, as "Nutrition Facts/Information". These contain information on the nutritional properties of a food.  6. POLICIES AND GUIDELINES ON FOOD AND NUTRITION LABELING IN THE PHILIPPINES In the Philippines, food and nutrition labels are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as mandated by Administrative Order 2014- 0030 entitled “Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Labeling of Prepackaged Food Products Further Amending Certain Provisions of AO No.88-B s. 1984”.3 Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines (the “Consumer Act”) provides the general standards for labeling requirements on all consumer products (including food) and prohibits the manufacture, import, export, sale, offer for sale, or distribution of any food that is adulterated or mislabeled. What’s in the nutrition label? Nutrition label is described as a guide for consumers to make healthier food choices as it indicates the nutrient content of a food (Van den Wijngaart, 2002). According to the Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), nutrition labelling consists of two components: nutrient declaration and supplementary nutrition information. Nutrient declaration is a standardized statement or listing of the nutrient content of a food. In food products, this is the nutrition information panel which, according to Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), “provides information on the average amount of energy, protein, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugars and sodium in the food, as well as any other claim that requires nutrition information”. On the other hand, supplementary nutrition information is intended to increase the consumer’s understanding of the nutritional value of their food and to assist in interpreting the nutrient declaration (FAO, 1985). The government issuance, Administrative Order (A.O.) No. 88-B series of 1984, provided the rules and regulations governing the labelling of pre-packaged food products distributed in the country. As general provisions, the A.O. states that “pre-packaged food shall not be described or presented on any label or in any labelling in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create erroneous impression regarding its character in any respect.” Furthermore, the A.O. indicates that food packages shall have labels that carry the necessary information about the product (e.g. principal display information and information panel). It also specifies that every word, figure or statement required to appear on the label or labelling shall be printed legibly with such conspicuousness and in such terms as to render it likely to be understood under customary condition of purchase and use. The A.O. No. 2014-0030 amendment in 2014 included health/food supplements in its scope and added provisions on nutrition claims. The Department of Health - Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA), the agency mandated to regulate food products, “aligns its domestic policies on food-nutrition labelling with the guidelines provided by the Codex Alimentarius” (Velasco, 2018). The Codex Alimentarius is a set of internationally recognized standards, codes of practices and guidelines on food products, food production and food safety which have been established to create consumer trust on the safety and quality of the food products that they buy in the market.  CONCLUSION In conclusion, food labelling is a vital aspect of consumer safety and informed decision-making. By providing clear, accurate, and comprehensive information, labels enable consumers to understand what they are purchasing, from the ingredients used to the nutritional content and storage requirements. The regulatory framework in the Philippines, along with international standards like the Codex Alimentarius, ensures that food products meet stringent labelling requirements to protect consumer health. Moreover, the inclusion of nutritional information on labels plays a key role in addressing the rise of diet-related diseases, encouraging healthier choices. As both consumers and manufacturers become more aware of these labelling standards, the overall goal is to foster a more informed, health-conscious society. MEMBERS DAVID, CHARMAINE R. GARCIA, EUNICE “TRINITY” D. GARLAN, JOHN SICHON, JANKANE SUNGA, RENZEL NICOLE TAGLE, ROXANNE THE END