Food Labels and Marketing
When it comes to nutrition, food labels have always been a point of emphasis and concern. Some say that reading food labels is crucial to maintaining a healthy diet while others assert that food labels are deceiving, as the quantities you see on certain foods are not always accurate. Both of these perspectives are valid as each food has specific nutritional labels that match its marketing style. This article will delve into the concept of the importance of comprehending food labels and how they can be utilized to maintain a healthy and more informed diet. We will also look over the marketing strategies that correspond to these labels and how they affect consumers and their shopping habits.
What are Food Labels?
Food labels are a list of ingredients used in the food they are attached to. People read food labels to gain information about the food’s nutritional value, contents, and various health implications that it may have. Food labels may seem direct at first glance, but in reality, marketers can include ambiguous and misleading elements.
Breaking Down Different Aspects of Food Labels:
Food labels are broken down into many different categories and subheadings. Here is a general overview of what some of those categories are and what they mean.
Nutrition Facts: In this section, you will see information related to serving sizes as well as the content per serving. Some things included within this section are details about calories, macronutrients (such as fats, carbohydrates, and proteins), vitamins, and minerals.
Ingredients List: Coming straight from its name, this subcategory explains each ingredient that goes into the product it is attached to. The ingredients are listed in order of weight from highest to lowest. This category is essential because it helps consumers identify any additives or preservatives included in the product.
Expiration Date: The expiration date attached to a product represents a deadline for when it begins to deteriorate in terms of quality. Expiration dates are essential because the overall condition of the product severely diminishes and at times, they are not safe to consume. It is important to note that expiration dates are estimates.
% Daily Value (%DV): In this section, consumers can find information about nutrients in one serving compared to the daily recommended intake. This section is crucial because it helps perceive the actual proportion of ingredients and the product itself concerning recommended daily allowances.
Marketing Strategies & Their Influence on Food Labels:
Marketing strategies are a major aspect of food labels and play a major role in determining a consumer’s decisions on which foods to buy. One appealing technique producers may implement is adding various colors and creating a vibrant design to visually appeal to their target audience and sell their products at higher rates. Another method consumers use is generating compelling slogans that resonate with their audiences. After reading these slogans, customers may be convinced to buy these products because of the effective advertising or perceived benefit from their purchase.
Arguably the most effective approach companies have is to utilize terms such as "organic, natural, or low-fat. An example of this would be natural fruit juices that you may see in your local grocery store. Although these products are labeled as natural and appear as a healthy choice, they contain high amounts of sugar that are extremely poor for your health. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, an eight-ounce serving of juice and Coke both contain about 30 grams of sugar on average, the equivalent of eight teaspoons. To put this into perspective, the AHA recommends consuming no more than six teaspoons of sugar per day for females, and nine for males. If you were to drink an eight-ounce serving of juice and cola, you would essentially exceed your expected daily sugar intake.
Another instance of deceiving food labels is with the familiar term, “organic.” Many individuals around the world structure their diet around this one singular term and draw away from specific foods because they don’t include this label. A prominent example of the term “organic” being misleading is with organic snack bars. Although these snack bars are labeled organic, deeper research has found that in some cases they include various additives and preservatives to promote taste and texture. The takeaway from this example is that food labels can be false in any particular instance, even when they include the term “organic.”
Conclusion:
As previously mentioned, food labels have many pros and cons to them. Solely depending on food labels to maintain a healthy diet is never a satisfactory option, and doing independent research to be aware of the product’s elements is vital. Understanding a product’s ins and outs is up to the consumer; understanding food labels is never sufficient by itself. When you come across food labels of a product you are about to purchase, carefully read over the quantities in each subcategory, but also pay attention to potential marketing strategies that are indirectly being implemented so that you can strive towards becoming a healthier and complete individual.
Sources:
“Food Labels.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 Sept. 2022, www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/eat-well/food-labels.html.
“How to Read Food and Beverage Labels.” National Institute on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-eating-nutrition-and-diet/how-read-food-and-beverage-labels. Accessed 17 Dec. 2023.
“The Truth about Juice.” Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, www.heartandstroke.ca/articles/the-truth-about-juice#:~:text=Amount%20of%20sugar%20in%20juice,average%20%E2%80%94%20that%27s%20almost%20eight%20teaspoons. Accessed 17 Dec. 2023.
“Understanding Food Labels.” The Nutrition Source, 2 Feb. 2023, www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-label-guide/.