Do food label rating systems work for you?
USNEWS.com posted a very thorough and well researched article on food label rating systems prompted by the release of a new rating system – Smart Choices. Click here to view the article in full.
I made a comment stating my point of view which is posted below.
What do you think of food rating systems? Do you find them useful? Do they work for you? Tell us which system you have in your local grocery store?
¨I would like to add another point to the duscussion that I feel is missing; are rating systems, as a group, the best and only solution for simplifying label data?.
Most rating systems do a great job at presenting and simplifying certain label information but are somewhat limited in that they only represent a particular aspect of the label data and do not consider the consumers specific needs. In this day and age of dietary choice everyone has their own unique specific needs and in a single family there can be several specific needs. But as a first step in the right direction label rating systems generally perform. Read more
Possibly Related Posts:
- The next target for the food conscious community
- Smart Choices RIP
- Nutrition Rating Systems – the problem and a solution
- FDA to study barriers to food label use
- Reading Food Labels for Better Nutrition
Reading Food Labels for Better Nutrition
by Shereen Jegtvig
An interesting food label survey conducted by an ingredient manufacturer Tate & Lyle shows 60% of consumers use food labels when they shop. The researchers also looked at the different ways consumers use food labels, like perusing the food label of a new product to decide if it’s worth trying or figuring out the validity packaging claims by gleaning more information from the Nutrient Facts label. A lot of people also use food labels to see if the food they’re looking at fits into their particular diet.
If you’re a regular reader of FoodEssentials.com, and you use our FoodEssentials tool, you already know how important food labels are, but let me give you a few tips to keep in mind when you are shopping: Read more
Possibly Related Posts:
- The next target for the food conscious community
- Smart Choices RIP
- Nutrition Rating Systems – the problem and a solution
- FDA to study barriers to food label use
- Do food label rating systems work for you?
Warning Labels on Hot Dogs?
by Shereen Jegtvig
Just recently, a vegan group called the Cancer Project filed a lawsuit asking the state of New Jersey to require cancer-warning labels on hot dogs. I think most people would find this lawsuit to be frivolous and I doubt New Jersey residents will see warning labels on their hot dogs anytime soon, but it is worth thinking about.
There have been studies suggesting a link between processed meats, like hot dogs, and colon cancer. They’re usually high in saturated fat and loaded with artificial additives and preservatives, the worst probably being nitrites, which are added to prevent bacterial growth and adds that familiar pink color. When the nitrites combine with other substances also found in meat to form N-nitroso compounds that are associated with a higher risk of several cancers. As an aside, many green vegetables naturally contain nitrites, but they don’t convert to the N-nitroso compounds, perhaps due to vitamins or antioxidants also found in the vegetables.
Does this mean that hot dogs should carry warning labels or that you should shriek and run away in horror the next time you see hot dogs at a picnic? Read more
Possibly Related Posts:
- Lower Cholesterol Through Diet
- The next target for the food conscious community
- Smart Choices RIP
- Mexican Foods – Ready To Go
- Nutrition Rating Systems – the problem and a solution
Top 10 Good Reads – July Week 1
Hi Everyone!
Firtsly, my appologies. It has been a little while since my last post, but worry not – I have not forgotten about you all, and things should return to normal soon enough. Its a pleasure to return to the bloggosphere with one of my favorite types of posts. I’m personally a big fan and subscriber to a lot of “foodie” blogs and like to keep myself informed on news in the industry. This post simply lists my top 10 favorites from the past week (and a half).
In this weeks edition I have listed a few articles touching on some of the more recent problems consumers, manufacturers and the FDA have been experiencing with each other. Sparked by the recent salmonella and e-coli outbreaks/recalls, consumer trust of manufacturers has seemed to plunge to a new low (apparently only 20% in the USA trust manufacturers). Add to that the increase of law suites filed against manufacturers, and things start to look a bit ugly. Hopefully it is something we can rectify moving forward?
All this and few more good reads for you to all ENJOY! Read more
Possibly Related Posts:
- Lower Cholesterol Through Diet
- The next target for the food conscious community
- Smart Choices RIP
- Mexican Foods – Ready To Go
- Nutrition Rating Systems – the problem and a solution
