Labelling
Into: Food and drink 
Where does food come from? Food production - crops
Organic farming is a form of agriculture that strictly excludes or limits the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides instead relying on more traditional methods such as crop rotation, green manure, composting and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity and control pests. Enhancing soil health is the cornerstone of organic farming.
The Organic Movement began in the 1930s and 1940s as a reaction to agriculture’s growing reliance on synthetic fertilisers. As a percentage of (...) Read more
Food production
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Raw materials
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Land
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Packaging
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Labelling
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Organic food
Into: Food and drink Introduction Historic and international context
The food industry is a powerful force in shaping food production, trade patterns and food consumption.
UK food supply chains have constantly developed over many years. They now encompass, not only food produced and supplied in the UK, but also food from across the world. These complex networks of supply across continents have helped to provide UK consumers with better choices of food, however, they have also exposed our food networks to global trends and influences.
Some of the major (...) Read more
Food production
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Food and nutrition
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Labelling
Into: Food and drink How do we choose food? Labelling and packaging
Under the Food Labelling Regulations 1996, there are a number of essential criteria for labelling that relate to the origin and traceability of the product.
Traceability means the ability to track and follow a food or substance that will be incorporated into a food through every stage of the supply process. It basically allows the consumer to understand the journey from farm to fork.
Labelling legislation covers the requirement to state:
The name and address of the manufacturer, packer (...) Read more
Food production
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Labelling
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Nutritional claims
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Food labelling
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Shopping
Into: Food and drink How do we choose food? Labelling and packaging
As well as knowing the ingredients of a product and where it has been produced, consumers need information about durability. Manufacturers may use terms such as ‘display until’ and ‘sell by’ but it is the terms ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ that are recognised in law in the UK.
Use by date – this tends to be the durability marking used on perishable items such as yogurts, fresh dairy produce, meats and some pre-packed meals. Consuming food past its use by date could pose a health risk and possibly (...) Read more
Labelling
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Food labelling
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Shopping
Into: Food and drink How do we choose food? Labelling and packaging
Health claims made on products are also monitored and governed by the EU and the Food Standards Agency in the UK. There are many health claims advertised to consumers around food products and diet products, such as:
helps to reduce weight
boosts energy levels
helps fight colds
reduces cholesterol
Specific claims such as these require more precise nutritional labelling or investigation to prove these claims. Labels on foods cannot claim to treat a health problem as it is only (...) Read more
Health and fitness
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Labelling
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Shopping
Into: Food and drink How do we choose food? Labelling and packaging
More and more consumers have concerns about providing healthy diets for their families, with many considering the nutritious value of products before they buy them. They may consider whether they are low in fat, low in sugar or high in fibre. Nutritional labelling is any information on a food label or packaging that relates to the food’s energy content or nutrients.
An EU Directive (90/496/EEC) was developed in 1990 to cover nutrition labelling for foodstuffs. This was designed to set (...) Read more
Labelling
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Nutritional claims
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Food labelling
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Shopping
Into: Food and drink How do we choose food? Signs and quality marks
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is the world’s leading certification and eco-labelling program for sustainable seafood. They work to safeguard the world’s seafood supply by promoting the best environmental choice by recognising and rewarding sustainable fishing.
The MSC has developed standards for sustainable fishing and also seafood traceability. The blue eco-label shows that a product has been caught in a fair and sustainable way. The MSC provides examples of best practice and (...) Read more
Labelling
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Logos
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Food labelling
Into: Food and drink How do we choose food? Labelling and packaging
Food laws and regulations cover a huge range of issues such as;
the transportation of animals including measures and controls including traceability,
pesticides and insecticide,
feed production,
food processing,
food labelling,
storage,
retail.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is an independent government department that works with local authority food enforcement agencies to protect the public’s health and consumer interests in relation to food.
Food labelling, food (...) Read more
Labelling
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Nutritional claims
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Food labelling
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Alcohol
Into: Food and drink How do we choose food? Signs and quality marks
The traffic light system is not necessarily a sign of quality, however, it is a labelling method used in the UK, which is supported by the Food Standards Agency.
The aim of the traffic light system is to give a clear visual message to consumers about the content of the food product. Each product has green, amber and red colours on the front of the pack to give consumers information at a glance.
Red - indicates high levels. Amber - indicates medium levels. Green - indicates low levels. (...) Read more
Food and nutrition
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Labelling
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Logos
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Food labelling
Into: Food and drink How do we choose food? Signs and quality marks
The Red Tractor is an independent quality mark that guarantees the food you buy comes from farms and food companies that meet high standards for food safety and hygiene, animal welfare and environmental protection.
Since its launch in 2000, shoppers can be confident that food bearing the Red Tractor has been checked every step of the way from farm to pack.
More than 78,000 farmers and growers are now members of the scheme, and they are all committed to maintaining high standards. You (...) Read more
Labelling
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Logos
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Food labelling
Into: Food and drink How do we choose food? Signs and quality marks
The RSPCA is one of the world’s leading animal welfare organisations that aims to prevent cruelty and to alleviate suffering of animals.
The Freedom Food scheme was set up in 1994 by the RSPCA. It is a farm assurance and food labelling scheme which is designed to improve the welfare of farm animals and offer consumers a higher welfare choice. There are specific RSPCA welfare standards for laying hens, chickens, turkeys, ducks, pigs, sheep, salmon, beef and dairy cattle.
You can find (...) Read more
Labelling
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Logos
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Food labelling
Into: Food and drink How do we choose food? Signs and quality marks
Dolphin safe logos are used to show that a product has been produced in a way that is not harmful to dolphins. It can be found on products such as tinned tuna.
There are different types of dolphin safe logos which all have their own criteria. These claims are also not always verified so it can be difficult to know it the claims are true. These labels do not offer any information on the possible dangers to other aquatic species or to the sustainability of the fishing techniques used.
You (...) Read more
Labelling
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Logos
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Food labelling
Into: Food and drink How do we choose food? Signs and quality marks
The fair trade logo is becoming a familiar sight on many products such as biscuits, bananas, fruit juice and wine. The first fair trade label was designed by a Dutch Development agency and was called Max Havelaar after a fictional Dutch character who opposed the exploitation of coffee pickers in Dutch colonies.
You can find out more on the Max Havelaar Foundation website.
Fair Trade practice is based on principles including:
better and sustainable pricing decent working conditions local (...) Read more
Labelling
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Fair trade
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Logos
Into: Food and drink How do we choose food? Signs and quality marks
Consumers may find a lion symbol on egg shells and egg boxes. This symbol means that the eggs have been produced to the highest standards of food safety.
In 1998, the Lion Quality Code of Practice was launched and this led to improved traceability of eggs and a "best-before" date stamped on the shell and pack. It also led to improved on-farm and packing station hygiene controls.
The Lion Quality mark is a registered trademark and more than 85% of UK eggs are now produced to Lion Quality (...) Read more
Labelling
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Logos
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Food labelling
Into: Food and drink Where does food come from?
When you buy food, consider the origins of the food you are buying and consider buying ecologically produced foodstuffs.
You can use food labels and the internet to check as much as you can about areas such as, producer, factory conditions, origins of ingredients and use of pesticides.
You can find more information in the following sections of our website:
Initiatives supporting sustainable food Impact on the (...) Read more
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Food production
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Food and nutrition
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Labelling
