If shopping is necessary, reading the food labels correctly makes it purposeful.
The price tag is often looked at more than once and even double-checked and compared with the price in other shops, whereas the nutritional label is hardly noticed.
In many countries, it is a regulation to have the nutritional value published on the food package, and in the Sultanate of Oman, the ingredients have to be listed in Arabic as well.
Muscat Municipality has issued guidelines for the public to bear in mind when purchasing food.
The consumer awareness initiative reminds the general public of the importance of the verification process of the product expiry date and the production date.
The expiry date is often overlooked when purchasing in bulk or when buying products that are on sale.
On its social media campaign, Muscat Municipality advised customers “to look out for their ideal properties such as colour, lustre and firmness,” while choosing vegetables and fruits.
The campaign also states that once bought, chilled or frozen food must be transported and stored with care.
Meanwhile, the nutritional label found on the packaging usually gives a brief on information about energy in Kilojoules- KJ, Kilocalories – Kcal that is referred to as calories but what is also important is to read other factors such as levels of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugar, protein and salt.
According to eatingright.org, these are the points one must keep in mind while reading Nutritional Facts Label.
“Step 1 – Start with the serving size, step 2 – compare the total calories to your individual needs,” states eatright.org.
This is important, especially if one is on a diet plan, so dutifully compare the labelled amount to what is the allowed allowance.
“Step 3 is to let the per cent Daily Values (DV) be a guide: per cent DVs are for the entire day, not just one meal or snack. A food item with a 5-per cent DV of fat provides 5 per cent of the total fat that a person who needs 2,000 calories a day should consume.”
eatingright.org also points out that ‘low’ is 5 per cent or less.
“Aim low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium. The High is 20 per cent or more. Aim high in Vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre,” differentiated the organisation.
The organisation points out that it is also highly significant to consider additional nutrients such as protein.
And, of course, food with more than one ingredient must have an ‘ingredient list’ on the label. They are listed in descending order as per the weight. Eating Right Organization says this is extremely important for individuals who have allergies or people who follow religious values.
So, in other words, it is best to make it a habit to read the labels on food packages to know what is one eating.
@lakshmioman
