How to Read a Food Label and Nutrition Information Panel
Ingredient Declaration
Is a list of the ingredients that are present in the product and is a mandatory requirement of the Food Standards Code (FSC). Ingredients are listed in descending order of the amount present in the product.
From the panel shown this means that wheat flour is the main ingredient used in this product.
The FSC requires the ingredient declaration to show the percentage of any characterising ingredients in the product. From the ingredient list shown for Tip Top® Spicy Fruit loaf we can see that Fruit Mix is a characterising ingredient in this product and makes up 22% of the weight of this product.
In some products, such as Tip Top® Sunblest® White bread, there are no characterising ingredients.
Ingredients:
Wheat Flour, Mixed Fruit (22%) (Sultanas [14%], Currants [7%], Citrus Peel [1%] [Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Acidity Regulator (330), Preservatives (220, 202)]), Water, Baker's Yeast, Wheat Gluten, Vegetable Oil, Sugar, Mixed Spice, Iodised Salt, Soy Flour, Vinegar, Emulsifier (481), Vitamins (Thiamin, Folate).
Contains Wheat, Sulphites & Soy.
May be present: Sesame Seeds.
Allergen Statements
The main foods, food ingredients or components of an ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals (such as peanuts and nuts, fish, milk, eggs and soy) must be declared on the label.
Serving Size and Servings Per Pack
All nutritional information panels must include the standard serving size of the product and the number of serves per pack. This assists consumers to determine the nutrition content per serve.
Nutrient Content
It is a mandatory requirement of the FSC that the nutrients energy, protein, total fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugars and sodium be listed in the nutritional information panel. This information allows the consumer to make informed food choices which can lead to better nutrition.
The nutrient values in the panel are given both per serve and per 100g. The per serve values give an average measure of how much of each nutrient you are getting when you consume the product. The per 100g values are given so you can easily compare the nutrition content between products.
Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI)
The National Health and Medical Research Council have developed a Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI), which advise the amount of certain vitamins and minerals required to maintain health and wellbeing for specific population groups within Australia.
The RDI can be used as a general guide to how much of each nutrient we should be consuming over a period of time. You will often see the RDI printed on packs claiming to offer a percentage RDI of minerals such as Thaimin or Iron.
The RDI measure differs from the Daily Intake (DI) measure in that it refers to vitamins and minerals such as Thiamin, Niacin, Zinc and Iron. The separate DI measure refers to the daily requirements of macro-nutrients which are labelled on the Nutrition Information Panel, such as Energy, Protein, Fats, Carbohydrate and Sodium. Both measures are communicated in percentages.
Daily Intake (DI) Percentage
Daily Intake (DI) percentage labelling helps you understand how an individual food contributes to your daily nutrient needs of the following macro-nutrients; Energy, Fat, Saturated Fat, Protein, Carbohydrate, Sugars and Sodium.
How Is %DI Calculated
The numbers used to calculate %DI Energy are acceptable intakes for an average adult energy intake of 8700kJ. The number has been determined by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) based on dietary recommendations from health professionals.
The levels used for calculating the %DI for fats, carbohydrate, sugar, protein, sodium and fibre are also set out in food labelling laws.
It is important to note that energy and nutrient intakes vary from person to person depending on gender, age, weight and differing levels of activity. Very active people may have higher requirements, whereas younger children or more sedentary individuals may have lower requirements.
To calculate your personal daily energy needs, click here.
Across all our Tip Top breads the %DI for Energy, Protein, Fat, Saturated Fat, Carbohydrates, Sugars and Sodium is displayed on the side of the pack in the form of a thumbnail. These thumbnails display the amount of energy in one serve and also the % amount this contributes to your daily needs.
The %DI for all macro-nutrients are also displayed in a column on the Nutrition Information Panel.
Go to www.mydailyintake.net for more information
