Health Claims And Food Labelling

Providing an introduction to the use of nutrition and health claims, this book explores these claims around the world and the impact of the different legislations on consumers as well as likely developments in the future. As nations tackle the food and health issues of the 21st century, this book will provide a single source drawing together all of these topics. In recent years, nutrition and health claims displayed on food packaging have become more regulated with the dual aims of protecting consumers from false claims and promoting consumption of foods with proven health benefits. Edited by Siân Astley, with contributions from renowned experts, chapters describe the legislation underpinning nutrition and health claims globally, explain the permitted use of claims globally in theory and practice and explore differences between the various legislative frameworks. This book will be of interest to those involved in food health and dietary impact research, as well as food manufacturers, legal and healthcare students with an interest in food, nutrition, bioactive compounds and human health.

During the past decade, tremendous growth has occurred in the use of nutrition symbols and rating systems designed to summarize key nutritional aspects and characteristics of food products. These symbols and the systems that underlie them have become known as front-of-package (FOP) nutrition rating systems and symbols, even though the symbols themselves can be found anywhere on the front of a food package or on a retail shelf tag. Though not regulated and inconsistent in format, content, and criteria, FOP systems and symbols have the potential to provide useful guidance to consumers as well as maximize effectiveness. As a result, Congress directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to undertake a study with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to examine and provide recommendations regarding FOP nutrition rating systems and symbols. The study was completed in two phases. Phase I focused primarily on the nutrition criteria underlying FOP systems. Phase II builds on the results of Phase I while focusing on aspects related to consumer understanding and behavior related to the development of a standardized FOP system. Front-of-Package Nutrition Rating Systems and Symbols focuses on Phase II of the study. The report addresses the potential benefits of a single, standardized front-label food guidance system regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, assesses which icons are most effective with consumer audiences, and considers the systems/icons that best promote health and how to maximize their use.

Nutrition Labeling offers a thorough examination of current nutrition labeling practices and recommends ways to make food labeling information consistent with recent dietary recommendations from the U.S. Surgeon General and the National Research Council. The volume proposes implementing a food labeling reform program, addressing such key issues as requiring mandatory nutrition labeling on most packaged foods, expanding nutrition labeling to foods that do not currently provide this information, making federal requirements uniform between agencies, and updating the nutrient content and format of food labels.

Advances in Food and Beverage Labelling reviews recent advances in labelling research and regulation, covering issues such as nutrition and hazard information, traceability, health claims and standardisation, as well as new labelling technologies and consumer issues. The EU Food Information Regulation will come into force in December 2014 and the book is designed to provide timely and useful information to manufacturers in this area, as well as on a global scale. Part one covers the different types of information that can, or must be present on a food label. Part two looks at recent developments in food labelling technology, regulations and enforcement. Brings together contributions from industry, trade bodies, government and academia. Offers timely advice for those concerned with the legal framework for food labelling, with information about the EU Food Information Regulation, as well as the US market. Reviews issues surrounding nutrition and health claims and GM, ethical and environmental labelling.

Increasingly, consumers desire information about the health, safety, environmental and socioeconomic characteristics of food products. These traits often cannot be detected by sight, smell or taste. Therefore, consumers must use food labels to select products that meet their needs and preferences. The growing consumer and industry interest in food labels presents challenges for governments, which must ensure that the product information is accurate, truthful and not misleading to consumers. Governments must decide whether provision of information should be mandatory or voluntary. With the increase in global trade in food, there is a need to harmonize food labels so that product information is understood and relevant to foreign markets. Innovations in food labelling provides information about the principles and requirements of food labelling and reviews the latest trends in this important area. Following an introduction on the evolution of food labelling, further chapters cover the Codex Alimentarius and food labelling, international trade agreements, nutrition labelling, allergies and food labels and environmental and social labels, among other topics. An essential reference for food regulatory agencies, food law experts and professionals in the food industry responsible for labelling as well as consumer and environmental associations with an interest in labelling. Provides important information about the principles and requirements of food labelling and reviews the trends in this area Documents label evolution and considers standards and legal issues, as well as protection of the environment and sustainable food production Features labels for a variety of different markets, including organic foods, and addresses social issues such as association of food quality with location

Gives generic instructions for developing and preparing an acceptable data base when valid estimates of nutrient content and variation are not available for the food (single or mixed products) to be labeled. The purpose of the manual is to advise the food industry in developing nutrition labels for food products that must comply with the regulations and to assist health professionals in interpreting nutrition labels on food products.