Nutritional information on food labels is often complex and difficult to understand, consumer education is therefore essential. This is according to panellists at the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) Summit 2014, who believe that South Africa’s Department of Health need to not only enforce legislation but also develop initiatives in consumer education.
“The impact of a food label’s ability to allow consumers to make informed decisions depends on how well the consumer understands the label,” said Jane Badham, a registered dietician and nutritionist at JB Consultancy.
She explained that a food label is the most direct means for a food producer to communicate with its buyer in terms of basic product information, nutritional facts, health and safety.
“Labelling must be absolutely truthful, definitely not misleading, evidence based and easily understood by consumers but it requires huge amounts of consumer education and enforcement of regulations.”
“The Department of Health needs to develop consumer education initiatives.”
Badham added that while most research conducted indicates that consumers want to make healthy choices when food shopping, many of them tend to buy what their families like and what they can afford. READ MORE
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