Food labels refer to all labels, marks, characters, figures and symbols attached to food packaging containers. The basic functions of the label are: food name, ingredient list, net content and solid content, factory name, batch number, date mark, etc. It is a description of food quality characteristics, safety characteristics, eating and drinking instructions.
What are the general rules of labels in prepackaged foods?
General Rules for Labeling in prepackaged foods (GB77 18—2004) is one of the national standards of food labeling series, which is applicable to all prepackaged foods labels provided to consumers. Prepackaged foods refers to "quantitatively prepackaged, or packaged, canned or packaged, and directly provided to consumers". The new General Rules for Labeling in prepackaged foods requires food processing enterprises to label correctly according to the standard requirements. Prepackaged foods must indicate the following contents: food name, ingredient list, net content and leachate, solid content, content, name and address of the manufacturer, production date or packaging date and shelf life, and product standard number. If consumers find and confirm that the label does not conform to the actual quality, they can complain according to law and get compensation.
Why is there a food label on the packaged food sold?
The main reasons are: First, the demand of consumers. Consumers can choose food with the help of food labels. By observing all the contents of the label, we can know the name of the food, what food it contains, what raw materials and accessories it is made of, as well as the manufacturer and quality. The second is the needs of manufacturers and distributors. They use labels to expand publicity and let consumers know about enterprises and products; At the same time, different manufacturers use their own unique labels to protect their legitimate rights and interests and prevent others from counterfeiting their own labeled foods. Third, the international food industry needs export and technical exchange. Fourth, the need to implement the Food Hygiene Law. Fifth, the need to rectify the national economy and strengthen the legal system. In recent years, fake and shoddy foods have appeared in the market. Some fake high-quality products on the label, some shoddy, some short of weight, or even adulterated, do not meet the food hygiene requirements, endanger the health of consumers, and even cause death and disability. One of the reasons is that the legal system is not perfect, management is not strict, and production, inspection and supervision are not organized according to product quality standards and food labeling standards. The implementation of the new "General Rules for Labeling in prepackaged foods" has made China's food labeling management step into a standardized track.
What are the basic requirements for food labeling?
Mainly: 1. The label must be true. The production enterprise shall label the name of the food according to its basic attributes. 2. Labels must be scientific. The language, characters, figures and symbols on food labels must be accurate and scientific. 3. Labels must be standardized. Chinese characters on food labels must be qualified and standardized, and nonstandard simplified characters and eliminated variant characters shall not be used.
How to use food labels to buy food
First, distinguish the connotation and quality characteristics of food from the food name indicated on the food label. The second is to identify the inherent quality and special use of food from the ingredient list or ingredient list. The third is to identify the quantity and value of food from the net content or solid content. The fourth is to identify the freshness of food from the production date and shelf life. The fifth is to use other contents of the label to guide the purchase.
About the production date and shelf life indicated on the label
The production date is the date when the finished product produced by the producer has been inspected. The production date of prepackaged foods may include the time required for inspection. The date of production can only be marked on the outer packaging box (box) of frozen drinks (popsicles, ice cream, etc.). ).
About the product standard number marked on the label
The domestic prepackaged foods label must be marked with the code and number of the implementation standard. Executive standards refer to all-round product standards that reflect quality characteristics, that is, national standards, industry standards, local standards or enterprise standards. The product standard code and number marked on the label are also the basis for supervision and inspection.
Stop deceiving consumers.
The new General Rules for Labeling in prepackaged foods strengthens the authenticity of food labels and protects consumers' right to know and their own interests. First, enterprises are not allowed to use product names on labels to confuse the true attributes of food. Second, the height of the words and numbers that must be marked on the label shall not be less than1.8mm; The net content and the name of the food must be marked in the same display year of the packaging or packaging container; It is convenient for consumers to identify and read. Third, sweeteners, preservatives and colorants added to the products must be marked with specific names. Fourth, foods used for special diets (such as foods for infants and diabetics) must be labeled with nutritional ingredients, that is, nutritional labels. Fifth, the production date and shelf life on the label shall not be pasted, subsidized or tampered with. Sixth, it is not allowed to label feudal superstition, yellow, belittle other foods or violate scientific nutrition common sense.