Accurate, easy-to read and scientifically valid nutrition and health information on food labels is an essential component of a comprehensive public health strategy to help consumers improve their diets and reduce the risk of diet-related diseases. Consumers often compare prices of food items in the grocery store to choose the best value for their money but comparing their purchases using a comprehensive food label can help make the best choices for their health. That is what makes food labeling a public health issue – inadequate food labels may lead to poor quality food choices. Indeed today food labels could not confidently be referred to as accurate, easy-to read and containing scientifically valid nutrition and all necessary health information. They are often referred to as misleading, containing flawed or inaccurate information and sometimes very difficult to understand by various health specialists. Indeed, consumer research shows that the majority of Americans do not understand the “% DV fat” on Nutrition Facts labels mean. They are …show more content…
Had he gone further into the report he would have found that organic fruits and vegetables are significantly closer in price to conventionally grown ones. We are all paying extra for the fallout from GMOs. This case indeed shows that food labeling issues are not only vital and extremely important today, but also that there is very hard to come to a solution. It would be very easy to label everything, require companies to let consumers know every single ingredient and in turn, hope to increase global health levels. However, it seems that opposing side has very strong arguments and companies are reluctant to sacrifice their profits in order to improve consumers health, which, very interestingly, is sometimes argued would not be achieved by doing so
On December 5, 2012, Daisy Luther, a journalist from Northern California wrote a blog entry on the conspiracy surrounding “certified organic” labels that is claimed by some companies and retailers. She brings up the question of whether these labels being stamped on food can really be verified or are they just a way to empty out the wallets of consumers. In the website The Organic Pepper, the blogger generally gives advice for different problems people encounter on a daily basis. Through her blog entries varying from ways to stay healthy to frugal living, Luther states her opinion of governmental interference on our food supply by citing sources from articles from Natural News and Time Magazine. She first starts out by arguing about how the
Organic is always associated with chemical-free production. However, does the word “Organic” on a label mean the product is indeed organic? Eliot Coleman in his article, “Beyond Organic”, published in December/January 2002 in the “Mother Earth News” magazine, claims that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has become a threat to the organic farmers. Coleman starts to grab readers’ attention with his personal experience, providing strong facts about organic food, and applying some emotional appeals; however, his audience is only convincing for organic farmers but not strong enough to convince the ordinary organic consumers.
They fought not to label genetically modified foods; and now 70% of processed food in the supermarket has some genetically modified ingredient.” (Food Inc.). Eric Schlosser is depicting a strong, heavy fight against food labeling in the food production industry. He states that companies fight, “tooth and nail,” against food labeling. Companies don’t want the consumers to know what they are ingesting, and they are going to the greatest of extents to achieve that goal.
How a food safety myth became a legend (2016) concluded this because of the information that was needed to pass the USDA
In other words, Zinczenko shows the problems and effects the lack of information can cause. I agree with the writer because since they are not providing enough details about their food, people are getting sick and are dying. Our obesity rate has gone up in recent years because the nutrition facts in our foods are not adding up correctly. The companies are separately showing the calories of small serving sizes, and when it’s all added up you realize you are eating more than the government’s recommended daily intake. Not only that, there is also unnecessary debate going on about our food labels.
Individuals relied heavily on advertising and, more often than not, based their product choice on opinion as opposed to fact. Through the 1982 publishing of the “red book” officially known as the “Toxicological Principles for the Safety Assessment of Direct Food Additives and Color Additives Used in Food” and the subsequent passing of the “Nutritional Labelling and Education Act”, society became more aware and subsequently made healthier food
Anther high importance of reading the food label is that they list the ingredients so if you were allergic to something it is very important because if you do not read them and that item has the food that you are allergic to you or other people then it can lead to critical outcomes that can land people in hospital. So overall if you stick to always reading the food labels on the food that you bye you will always be healthy because of one main reason and that is if you compare your product with other foods that you bye and therefore you could cut back massive amounts of things such as sugar or fat witch is really bad for
According to Harvard Men's Health Watch, “In less than 40 years, the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. has increased by over 50%, so that two of every three American adults are now overweight or obese”("Obesity in America: What's driving the epidemic?"). The issue of obesity in America has grown over the years. Many adults are having weight problems now more than ever. There are many reasons why it is such a big problem, but in America, one thing that stands out is the food industry. There are so many unnecessary ingredients that are not commonly known to the public which makes consumers not realize what they are truly eating.
This source has helped my research a lot because the survey they put on this source states how many people want to live a healthier lifestyle but cannot because they have trouble understanding what foods are healthy and what aren 't because they don 't understand what is being said on the nutrition labels. This source also states that these confusing nutrition labels don 't just make it hard for people who are dieting but it also hard for people who have allergies or sensitivity to some types of foods. The nutrition labels don 't state clear enough of what is actually being processed into the food. I also chose this source because it says that ingredients are a major part in how consumers pick their foods. On most food labels the ingredients are so small that most people cannot see what it says.
Nutrition Topic: Nutrition Organization: Topically Specific Purpose: To inform my audience the importance of proper nutrition I. INTRODUCTION A. Attention getter: Did you know that more than two thirds of adults are considered to be overweight or obese in the United States? If obesity rates stay consistent, about 51% of the population by the year 2030 will be obese.
False Food Labels and Nutrition Facts Every day people decide what to eat, what their meals will be for the day, and what they are going to feed their families. All the food people purchase in stores, ends up on their dinner tables, premade lunches, and snacks. But food products are not always as nourishing or healthy as they claim to be. Miss leading ads and nutrition labeling/facts on products are used as marketing tactics that contribute to the health epidemic in the U.S. All products list their nutrition facts either on the side or the back of the product explaining the amount per serving, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, sugar etc. However if people compare the nutrition facts on the back from the labels on the front, it
• Any required instructions for use. Food labelling regulations are likely to change following an EU-wide review of food and nutrition labelling and a European Commission proposal for a new Food Information Regulation. For more details go to www.food.gov.uk/foodlabelling/ull/labellingproposals.
In a 1988 act, cigarette companies were required to put warning labels on their products. This proves that putting warning labels on fast food is certainly possible, the same needs to be done to all fast-foods so that all customers will be aware of the hazards of fast-food. Fast food warning labels will make it more convenient to know about your food; it will benefit companies; and finally, it will help reduce obesity, obesity-related illnesses, and medical costs. In Conclusion, it’s time for warning labels to be put on fast food
• Safety. Food must not be placed on the market if it could cause ill health or is unfit for human consumption. • Presentation. Labelling, advertising and presentation of food must not mislead customers. • Traceability.
In the United States there are two major federal government agencies that oversee the food industries regulations, the U.S Department of Agriculture and the U.S Food and Drug Administration. According to the Office of Regulatory Affairs, “the FDA regulates a wide range of products, including foods (except for aspects of some meat, poultry and egg products, which are regulated by the U.S Department of Agriculture)” to assure their safety for consumption. These federal government agencies have to inspect and label all food products and provide us as consumers with nutritional facts and values. In order to promote healthy eating habits, the USDA and the FDA have established nutritional guidelines and daily recommended intake values to educate