How to read food labels.

1. Mythbusters! How to read food labels

2. Claim: 97% fat free & ‘light’

3. What does this mean? Product must contain less than 3g of fat per 100g Always check the Nutrition Information Panel ‘Light’ does not always mean low fat

4. Claim: Very High in Fibre

5. What does this mean? Again, check the Nutrition Information Panel; a product must contain 20g of fibre per 100g to be claimed as ‘high fibre’

6. Claim: Low Gi

7. What does this mean? GI level refers to the Glycemic index of a food – that is, the effect of carbohydrates in a food on insulin levels. For a product to claim ‘low GI’, the food must have an index level of 55 or below

8. Claim: No added sugar

9. What does this mean? Product must contain no added sugar Natural sugars are allowed There are many different ‘names’ for sugar, including corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, molasses – watch out for these on ingredient listings

10. Claims: Guaranteed wholegrain, helps lower cholesterol re-absorption

11. What does this mean? Be wary of products simply ‘adding’ health claims to packaging, these are not government regulated Such claims are often more a marketing tool, used to persuade consumers It is always vital to read the nutrition information panel to check for hidden additives, fats, sugars etc.

12. Claim: ‘Light’

13. What does this mean? Look carefully! Although the ice cream product on the right claims to be ‘light’ and 97% fat free, both products actually contain the same RDI of energy! This is a common trap with ‘low fat’ or ‘light’ products.