Time to review food labelling guidelines
Food packaging provides vital data on the content, ingredients and nutritional value for consumers.
The writer noticed a brand of mango jam that comes in a relatively bigger size does not come with nutrition information while other food in smaller packaging had such labels. Photo: Chin Kee Thou
Food packaging provides vital data on the content, ingredients and nutritional value for consumers.
But the guidelines in the Health Promotion Board’s Handbook on Nutrition Labelling do not require small packaging, with a total surface area of less than 100 square centimetres, to display a nutrition information panel.
And yet I notice food in small packaging that have such panels. Indeed, for consumers to make informed choices and live healthily, it is imperative to include nutrition information on all packaging.
Perhaps the authorities should review the guidelines on food labelling in conjunction with the campaign for healthy living (It’s not just soft drinks, watch for hidden sugars in other products too; Aug 30).
Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.
Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.
By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.
