How Food Manufactures Help People

By: Sharon Samraj
Submitted: 2008-08-19 17:25:26
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Several consumers, health and medical professionals emphasize the need for consumers to have access to information about the foods they eat. It is important that food manufacturers recognize the right of consumer to know what ingredients the food he consumes contains.  The demand of the consumer is supported by independent food specialists who say that manufacturers must provide practical assistance to consumers to make food purchasing choices. They recommend that the front of pack labeling may be complemented further by more elaborate food labeling on the back of pack.

It is argued that this information should be provided in an easy-to- understand, color coded format and by an independent source to inspire people’s confidence. It is a well-known fact that obesity causes heart ailments, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and even at times certain types of cancers. With Childhood obesity rates steadily going up in the USA and Europe, it is imperative that timely tough measures are taken to reverse this trend. Helping people to make healthy food choices is a positive step in tackling obesity and improved, consistent labeling will help customers buy healthy food.  Medical research has gone to show that nearly 25% of all cancer deaths are caused by unhealthy diets and obesity. If there are clear and accurate foods labeling, it can help people make healthy dietary choices more easily.

Food store retailers and food product manufacturers have a key role to play in helping consumers make the right choices. Particularly when people often find it hard to understand and interpret information on the labels.  It is critical that people suffering from diabetes and those with cardiac problems get information about foods they buy to help them make the right choices.  However, voluntary labeling will only work if manufacturers adhere to certain guidelines. Providing information in different formats by different manufacturers may also cause confusion. It is really important that the food industry is consistent with the format of labels that offer information.

The National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) have all  long campaigned for food labeling that is consistent, clear and providing all relevant informative to help consumers make healthy choices.  NFWI has strongly support end clear nutritional labeling on the front of food packs. National Consumer Council (NCC) officials claim that consumers are trying to adopt healthier lifestyles and therefore need a standard, color-coded, at-a-glance front-of-pack labeling system to help them make well- informed decisions before they buy. National Heart Forum (NHF) state that consumers want a single, authoritative nutritional labeling scheme they can rely on whatever the brand and whichever the shop they buy from. They want to choose at-a-glance between foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt and healthier alternatives. Net Mums' research has found that parents want clear and truthful labeling to help them choose healthy food for their families.

Simple color-coding on the front of packaging helps parents to understand the choices they are making for themselves and their children. Net Mums insists on seeing the scheme adopted by all supermarkets and food manufacturers. Royal College of Physicians has opined that obesity and unhealthy eating are a serious threat to the health of citizens. It has sought front of pack labeling as a most necessary and practical element of such a strategy.

Campbell Soup Company, Dannon, Kraft Foods, Mars and PepsiCo have forged an alliance to establish first-ever voluntary guidelines for snacks and other eatables sold in schools that will provide healthier food choices for the nation’s children. These five food industry leaders have agreed to invest in product re-formulation and new product development in consultation with nutrition experts at the American Heart Association. They will ensure that foods offered for sale in schools before, during and after the school day have the required nutrient value.  The guidelines will cover foods and snacks, desserts, side items sold throughout schools, including school vending machines, ala carte lines, school stores and snack carts.

Kevin Moshayedi is an expert author, who is presently working on the site about Atkins nutrition. He has written many articles in various topics. For more information about Power Crunch and iforce supplements visit our site http://www.imedmart.com

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