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he reality: To use the official ‘one of our five a day’ logo, a food or dish must rovide at least 80g of fruit and or vegetaes per serving, says Fiona. It cannot be sed on food which contains any added t, salt or sugar, but some manufacturers se their ‘own’ similar-looking five-a-day go (although the food must still supply t least 80g of fruit and or veg). The reality: There’s no legal definition so shoppers assume the product is sold within a short time after production or harvesting – but this may not necessarily be the case, explains Azmina Govindji, Consultant Nutritionist to Love Canned Food (lovecannedfood.com). It’s important to check the label rather than assume the food is healthy. She adds: “However, canning is simply a way of enjoying food with an extended shelf life. You get roughly the same amount of vitamin A and E, minerals and fibre as you would from the same food if it were fresh or frozen.” The reality: Honey and apple juice are still forms of sugar – even if they sound healthier. And the product may be packed with artificial sweeteners. Read the label. The reality: “By law, a product labelled as low-fat must contain no more than 3g fat per 100g for solid or 1.5g fat per 100g for liquid, explains Fiona. The exception is semi-skimmed milk which can be labelled as low-fat but contains 1.7g fat per 100mls. The reality: When you see ‘source of omega 3 fatty acids’ on a label, the manufacturer has had to comply with strict guidelines on the amount and type of omega 3 fatty acids contained, explains
Azmina.
This is the RSPCA’S labelling and assurance scheme (previously known as Freedom Food) dedicated to improving welfare standards for farm animals reared indoors and outdoors. The mark can be found on meat, poultry, salmon, dairy and egg products from farm animals.
This distinctive little red tractor logo represents food produced in Britain which meets certain quality standards for food safety, hygiene and the environment.
The red lion logo appears on eggs which meet the minimum legislative requirements for animal welfare. It doesn’t guarantee that hens are free-range or have high welfare conditions.
The Soil Association organic logo covers animal welfare, conservation and GM but, unlike ‘Freedom Food’, only applies to animals reared outdoors.
This scheme for beef and lamb provides one of the highest levels of independently inspected quality assurance for meat in the UK.
The Fairtrade mark is a certification scheme for fairly traded products. Without the mark, claims that a product is fairly traded, sustainable or ethical are toothless.
This recognises and rewards sustainable fishing practices, and is helping to create a more sustainable seafood market. The Pasture-fed Livestock Association is a farmer-led organisation that promotes the health, welfare and environmental benefits of raising cattle and sheep exclusively on grass and forage crops. The UK throws away nearly 122 million items of food every month, according to online retailer Approved
Food. Misunderstandings around food labelling mean that one in four people bin food which is safe to eat, under the mistaken belief that feeding their families food approaching or on its ‘best before’ date is ‘risky’. Almost a third (30%) incorrectly define ‘best before’, while fewer than half (48%) can accurately state what ‘use by’ means. Every day, an astonishing six million potatoes, three million apples, one million bananas, a million unopened yoghurt pots and almost half a million ready meals are thrown away. Here’s our guide:
This label is used on perishable foods, such as ready meals and salads, which could cause food poisoning if not eaten by this date, explains Fiona. Once opened you must comply with instructions on the label, such as ‘must be eaten within three days of opening’. However, manufacturers do allow a safety margin, so if you keep food as instructed, it might well stay safe for a little longer. Likewise, if you don’t refrigerate food which should be kept cool, it may go off before its use-by date. Freezing will extend the life of the food, as long as it’s done before the use-by date.
This is usually found on longer-lasting foods, such as frozen, dried or canned foods. They are still safe after this date, providing they have been stored correctly. Once opened, however, treat as fresh food and observe advice such as ‘eat within three days of opening’.
These terms have no legal meaning and are purely for the benefit of shelf-stackers. Typically, a sell-by date will be two or three days before the product has to be eaten.