Know Your Logos

Lorna Cowan highlights the symbols you can trust. Supermarket shopping

We are faced with all sorts of symbols every day while doing our supermarket shop. For some people, for example those who have to

avoid certain foods, it’s essential to know what is in a product.

The Crossed Grain symbol on packaging indicates that the food is gluten free and has been certified by Coeliac UK as suitable for people with coeliac disease. Those choosing a diet that consists of only plant-derived food should look out for the trademark signifying an item is vegan – it comprises a sunflower growing out of the letter V.

The Red Tractor logo on packaged chicken, pork, lamb, beef, salad, vegetables and dairy goods signifies that the product can be traced back to farms approved by the Assured Food Standards. The tractor and Union Flag symbol confirm the food has been born, farmed, prepared and packed in the UK, and it’s adhered to certain high standards for food safety. Hygiene, environmental protection and animal welfare have been taken into consideration, too.

Ever noticed a red lion on the eggs you buy from the supermarket? Any egg that carries the British Lion mark has been produced under stringent requirements to ensure the highest standards of food safety. The code covers the entire production chain and includes the guarantee that all hens are vaccinated against salmonella.

As for fish, only seafood from fisheries that meet the Marine Stewardship Council’s strict standard for sustainability can be sold with the MSC blue fish label. Consumers seeing this label can trust that the seafood product is from a wild-catch fishery and is fully traceable back to a sustainable source.

On some products, such as wine, chocolate, bananas and coffee, you’ll see the Fairtrade logo, signalling that it’s a product sourced from producers in developing countries. Fairtrade certifies products and ingredients and makes sure set standards are being met by all farmers, workers and companies in the supply chain.