On the packaging of the food boxes, there's a lot of information, including the name of the food, its flavor, and the brand name. They can include instructions on how to use and preserve food in a proper way, the date of manufacture, and warnings of allergy risks. They may also suggest which foods to combine for the best combination or provide lovely notes from the brand dedicated to the customers. All of the above information may be printed directly on the box, or on a decal and stick to it, and is called generally as “food label”.

So, what's the point of those food labels, and why do we need to read and understand them thoroughly? This article will help you answer those questions.

What do food labels mean? 

Food labels can be understood as everything that the brand wants their customers to know, so that they can have the best experience when enjoying the food. Most of them are clearly printed on the packaging. The more important the information, the more it will be displayed in the most visible places such as on the lid, or at the front of the package.

Why is it important to read food information carefully?

As a matter of fact, the manufacturers do not print food labels on the packaging for customers to take just a glance at. Here are some common reasons to remind you that it's important to read and understand food labels.

1. Easily control which food you add to your body

The ingredient list will most likely be the first thing you need to pay attention to if you care about your health, are aiming to lose or gain weight, or have other specific purposes.

Besides listing the ingredients, you can also know the percentage of a specific ingredient contained in the cake or the box of milk you are drinking. It should be noted that the ingredients table is usually listed in the order in which the ingredients with the most quantity appear first. There are many canned fruit juices labeled "raw" or "natural," but the real fruit part stands nearly at the end of the list!

Besides ingredients, you also know the amount of calories or energy that will be loaded into your body after eating. This information is likely known as the "daily value" and is usually estimated based on a 2000-calorie diet (with common portions of 100 or 200 grams).

2. Limit the risk of allergies to a certain ingredient

Reading the ingredients on the box of the cake or the package of the candy you eat will help you limit the risk of eating a specific kind of food that you are allergic to. There are many dishes that contain special ingredients that you didn't think there were but turn out to be the reason for your allergies.

To prevent this, manufacturers often clearly print allergy warnings on the packaging or note whether the food is vegetarian or not.

In addition, there are also cases where a food item does not have a certain ingredient, but there is still the possibility of an allergic reaction being caused by that ingredient. It may sound weird, but it's a pretty common thing. For example, a box of chocolate candy containing only chocolate, cocoa butter, and sugar might be marked with "May contain traces of milk" or "May contain traces of nuts" or the like. This is because this chocolate candy bar is produced on the same line as products that contain milk or nuts. If anyone has a severe allergy to those, it is best that they do not consume the candy.

3. Know the recommended time to use food

In short, it is the date of production and expiry of the food that you should pay special attention to avoid unpredictable consequences. This is important information, so many brands even print them right on the conspicuous box lid or in a place separated from other information to help consumers easily identify.

More than that, you can also know the period of usage time to ensure the best taste of food.

4. Confirm the origin of the product

By checking the place of origin or place of manufacture on the package, you will know whether the origin of the food is exactly as the manufacturer says or not.

Big brands often hire workers in small countries to reduce production costs as well as contribute to creating job opportunities for many people. Therefore, just because a product from Europe says "Made in China" or "Made in Vietnam," that does not mean that it is less reputable than one that is made in the US or France.

But on the other hand, this information will help increase the value of products that are manufactured or processed in the country itself. If one feels a box of tea made in Vietnam is of good quality, products from that country will earn their trust, and they will likely choose similar items from Vietnam next time.

Through the above reasons, it can be seen that reading and understanding the information of food has many benefits for customers. You will be capable of choosing the foods that your body needs, thereby controlling your weight, shape and body more effectively. Not only yourself, the habit of reading food information also helps you take care of the health of everyone in your family.