On the packaging of any product you will find a list of ingredients indicated in accordance with the designations in INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients), which, by the way, are officially recorded by the legislation of most countries. Components are always listed in descending order of their concentration in a cosmetic product, and this applies to everyone without exception (not counting, of course, the one percent: in such quantities they need not be mentioned). In the first places are the ingredients in the highest percentage composition, and towards the end are those that are present in low or trace quantities.
General Director of the Style Library salonEvgenia Yakovleva:“As a rule, water comes first. This is quite logical and in no way means that the chosen product will be useless or cheap. In fact, water is a great base for mixing the rest of the ingredients and emulsifying. True, we must not forget that we still pay not for water, but for active ingredients, which are at the very end of the list, slightly higher than preservatives,I don’t want to see it at all. By the way, manufacturers usually mark real organic ingredients separately with an asterisk. But even the presence of these in a product does not make it absolutely safe or even more effective. Much more important is the bioavailability of the components - we are talking about cleaning and their ability to penetrate the epidermal barrier. For example, the effect of a professional mask and a natural one made from strawberries from the garden is heaven and earth. Although many excellent “chemical ingredients” are obtained from natural products: for example, L-ascorbic acid (the only form of vitamin C that retains its benefits and provides collagen synthesis) is blueberries. This process, however, is very expensive, which, of course, cannot but affect the final cost of the product. Therefore, you shouldn’t be afraid of “chemistry,” but you need to learn to avoid useless products. And professional cosmetics in this case is the best choice.”
The chief physician of the Laser Lounge Clinic, Karina Musaeva, advises paying attention to mineral cosmetics:“In the summer, when pores become clogged so easily and acne worsens, a way out - mineral cosmetics. It is also an ideal option after peeling and polishing: it does not contain moisture, bacteria do not appear or multiply in it, and therefore, preservatives are not needed for its preservation. Moreover,True mineral products do not contain fragrance, talc, alcohol, dyes, cheap fillers (such as bismuth oxychloride), heavy oils derived from petroleum (such as mineral oil), or any fat whatsoever. The absence of the latter makes it possible to avoid problems such as acne and blackheads.
The mineral pigments themselves are inert; they do not cause allergies or skin irritations. That is why mineral cosmetics are especially recommended for skin prone to oily skin, as well as those with increased sensitivity and irritability. It also provides natural SPF due to its composition: minerals reflect light. Howeverdon't forget about packaging. Many brands claim that they have a “mineral line,” but a handful of minerals in an eyeshadow or powder does not yet qualify for “mineral status.” Keep in mind: mineral cosmetics can only be in powder form. Pressed or creamy products indicate that they contain fats and silicones, parabens and other esters».
Of course, the most important in any cosmetic product are its active ingredients. Founder of a Russian brand of organic cosmetics Pure Love Katerina Karpova:“If we are talking about a cream, then you need to separately study the composition of its base - oils and emulsifiers. A good sign is the presence of Argania Spinosa Oil (argan oil), Oryza Sativa (rice), Rice Bran Oil (rice bran oil) or Baobab Seed Oil (baobab oil), Vitis vinifera L. Grape Seed Oil (grape oil) in day creams , and in the night - Oenothera biennis, Evening Primrose Oil (evening primrose oil), Rosa Canina Oil (rose hip oil) or Borago officinalis L. Oil (borage oil). These ingredients will compensate for the deficiency of essential linoleic and linolenic fatty acids in the skin, which are responsible for its healthy appearance.
If the skin is dry, problematic or sensitive, then you need to look for components that help restore the protective barrier of the epidermis: Ceramides (ceramides), Lecithin, Phosphatidylcholine (lecithin), NMF (natural moisturizing factor), Phytosterols (phytosterols). Antioxidants are useful for skin of any type, some of the most famous— Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (green tea), Vitis vinifera Extract (grape extract) and Centella asiatica Extract (centella asiatica, gotu kola).”
Among the eternal hits, products high in vitamins E, C, resveratrol, alpha-lipoic acid, hyaluronic acid are antioxidants that provide protection against those same free radicals.
Now let’s deal with the “unwanted guests” of any cosmetic product. Katerina Karpova recommends not to contactsubstances with the prefix PEG (polyethylene glycols), fatty alcohols ending in th: All of these substances are stimulants for sensitive skin and can disrupt the skin barrier function.It is also worth paying attention to Propylene Glycol (propylene glycol) and Butylene Glycol (butylene glycol) at the beginning of the composition: in such quantities they are potential irritants and can make the skin sensitive. Alcohol or Alcohol Denat (ethyl alcohol) contributes to drying of the skin, and some chemical filters like Oxybenzone (oxybenzone), Octinoxate (octinoxate) can penetrate into the deep layers of the skin and also oxidize during prolonged exposure to the sun. “But the worst thing is the abbreviation SLS (l sodium auryl sulfate).This cheap cleanser, derived from coconut oil, is widely used in cosmetic cleansers, shampoos, toothpastes, and bubble baths. In everyday life, SLS is used for washing floors and cars,” adds Karina Musaeva.
So, always read the ingredients, pay special attention to the end of the list because that's where the most harmful substances may be hiding, and remember that not all chemical ingredients are bad.
In order not to spend all your savings and not take too much, we figured it out. Now it's time to learn to read. Labels. When choosing a product, this is the first thing you should pay attention to (and don’t be lazy!).
- Be careful: the bright inscriptions Organic, “Dietary”, “Natural” have nothing to do with the composition of the product - you still better turn the packaging over and read the composition.
- The ingredients in the composition are arranged strictly in descending order of their quantity in the product. That is, if sugar or vegetable fat is listed first on the pie label, then it is better to return it back to the shelf.
- Also pay attention to the integrity of the label. The expiration date should not be written with a marker or pen. Check carefully that it is not over-glued. It is better not to take products on the packaging of which the ingredients are not written or are difficult to read.
- Manufacturers often cheat with the composition of the product in order to extend the shelf life and make it tastier. Therefore, today you will find dyes, flavors and preservatives in almost all products. In Russia, only those substances that are approved by the World Health Organization are used. But this is not a guarantee of safety. Therefore, purchase only products produced in accordance with GOST - they contain natural dyes and flavors.
- The food industry often uses substances that are slow-acting poisons. These include hydrogenated fats, which can cause coronary heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. Dangerous additives include aspartame and saccharin—sweeteners found in soda—that activate cancer cells. Also avoid the labels “special purpose fat”, “refined oils”, monosodium glutamate (E-621), sodium benzoate (E211) - these are undoubtedly opponents of a healthy diet. Manufacturers, especially foreign companies, have learned to disguise dangerous additives under cute names. Thus, saccharin is hidden under the labels Sweet"n'Low, Sprinkle Sweet, Twin, Sweet 10, and aspartame can be designated as sweetley, sweetener, sucrazide, nutrisweet.
- Not all E-coded substances will be harmful. For example, the dyes curcumin (E-100) and riboflavin (E-101) are natural and absolutely harmless.
- In fact, all the harmful dyes, carcinogens, preservatives and flavors cannot be counted in any article. Therefore, do your own research and make a list of additives that you want to see in the products you buy home.
Today, healthy lifestyle and taking care of your health are more popular than ever before! It’s hard to imagine our great-great-great-great-great-grandfathers who disgustedly turn away from butter (oh my God, it’s full of fat) or ignore bread (hey, it’s gluten).
Of course, food concerns make money from our current concern for our diet. Pick up a box of cookies, granola bars, or a bottle of iced tea, and you'll immediately notice health claims on their labels.
They will definitely contain fructose, will be marked “Organic” and, of course, promise you weight loss and immediate health improvement. But despite what the manufacturer promises, you may actually be consuming more fat, calories, salt and sugar than you think.
How to correctly understand what is written on labels
Farm products
you think: natural, healthy, animals live in bliss and affection.
In fact: This sticker can be hung on any food product without passing any checks. There is no document regulating and controlling such statements within the framework of product advertising: write what you want in capital letters, set any price and everyone will believe it.
No one guarantees you that animals do not live, excuse me, up to their necks in their own feces or, for example, that dairy products undergo mandatory sterilization. Farmers are not subject to any inspections, so in an effort to buy something “healthy,” you are buying a pig in a poke.
No cholesterol
you think: safe for the heart.
In fact: Cholesterol is found only in products of animal origin, and the cholesterol-free label is often used on products of plant origin, which never contain it anyway; in addition, cholesterol from food does not affect the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
Any vegetable oil, whether labeled or not, does not contain cholesterol, simply because by definition it cannot In addition, a large amount of unhealthy food Not contains cholesterol (such as alcohol and chips), which does not make them healthy for the heart. In addition, research shows that dietary cholesterol does not affect blood cholesterol levels as much as we thought decades ago.
Vegetarian/vegan/raw food product
You think: yay, that suits me.
In fact: veganism, vegetarianism and raw food diet are relatively new in Russia, especially in comparison with Europe or America, but they are already bringing in fabulous amounts of money. This creates a huge number of opportunities for marketers: vegan nuts, vegan flour, vegan cucumbers. Wait, can they be meat?!
Any product that is a priori suitable for vegans is labeled “vegan” and sold at a higher price.
Vegan sweets are a different story - they are healthy and tasty, say the manufacturers. The fact that a product contains no eggs or milk does not make it super healthy! For example, sugar is a completely vegan product.
Gluten free
You think: great, I heard somewhere that gluten is harmful.
In fact: If you don't have a gluten allergy, then you're wasting your money. You and I know that!
“Gluten free” products are a little more expensive even in the USA and Europe, but in Russia their price generally skyrockets. And of course, marketers are trying to make a fuss - sticking it anywhere and everywhere. One good thing is that there is an official guarantee of quality: if a product says “gluten-free”, the manufacturing company must have laboratory results confirming this fact.
Alternative: The “gluten free” sticker does not at all guarantee the benefits of the product. This is only a guarantee of the absence of gluten, but in no way a guarantee of the absence of sugar, thickeners, preservatives, E-shek, starches, etc. and so on. Therefore, again, advice - look not only at the treasured sticker, but also at the composition of the product.
With added vitamins
You think: This product is healthier than others.
In fact: Vitamins A, C, E and B are added to cereals, fruit snacks and even sometimes cookies, which gives them a touch of healthiness, but this does not mean that this product will “health” you. Calorie content and composition (i.e. the presence of sugar, fat, etc.) remain the same, vitamins do not change anything.
This product is only healthier than itself in the version without vitamins and nothing more.
There’s actually a combo here: without sugar, with vitamins, with cereal balls, and with the calorie content of ONE serving 
By the way, there will be an insignificant amount of natural juice there :) Alternative: Try to get your vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from real, natural foods—vegetables, fruits, cereals, and lean meats and seafood—rather than from “specially fortified” foods.
Green tones
You think:“go ahead, everything is fine, you can eat.”
In fact: Nothing. Green is a natural color, so we associate it with health benefits, even when we shouldn't. In addition, the color green calms us down, and when a person is in a good state of mind, shopping is more fun.
A study published in the journal Health Communication found that consumers are more likely to rate a candy bar with a green label as a healthier food than the same candy bar with a white or red label - even if they have the same number of calories.
Alternative: Ignore the front of the label and check the ingredients on the back or side. If the ingredient list includes partially hydrogenated coconut oil, palm oil, tallow or vegetable shortening, and/or high fructose/maltodextir corn syrup and other high-calorie sugars, then it is best for your health to minimize your intake of such products.
Made with no added sugar or natural sweetener
you think: This product is healthier because everything in it is natural.
In fact: The product contains a lot of sugar. That's all. Corn syrup, beet sugar, cane sugar, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrate and malt syrup are all sugars. The same eggs, only on the side. And all this is high in calories and also stimulates your brain, so if you are struggling with sugar addiction, definitely forget about such products.
They love to add sugar and its derivatives to supposedly dietary muesli created for weight loss:
Whole grain label
you think: The whole product is made from whole grains, which is very healthy.
In fact: In fact, research has found that many foods labeled "whole grain" are higher in calories and sugar than those without.
WITHOUT GMO
you think: wow, what a useful product, you should take it.
In fact: This product has no advantages.
Where GMOs can come from in salt is unclear Nowadays it is fashionable to write “non-GMO” (genetically modified organisms) on products. This is another marketing ploy by the manufacturers.. Journalists have made an unjustified fuss about this issue. Allegedly, genetically modified products are dangerous, if not for the present generation, then for future generations. These are unjustified passions that the manufacturer uses for advertising purposes.
If you believe that the government/Americans/masons/alien civilizations created GMOs to poison the Russian people, then excuse me, our site is not designed to support such charlatan delusions. You are on Ren TV and in the group 40 kg.
By the way, interesting point: the product contains less than 0.9% GMOs, it is considered to be technological contamination. If it is more, then manufacturers are required to write “contains GMOs” on the packaging of such products. Everything else is marketing ploys.
N calories per serving
you think: The number of calories in the entire package.
In fact: it says exactly what it says. A package may contain, as it says, 100 calories per serving of iced tea, but a bottle that looks like it could be consumed in one sitting may contain two or three servings, resulting in double or triple the amount of calories consumed.
Alternative: Always check serving size before consuming. Also, if you are trying to lose weight, be open to the possibility that the food may contain more calories than advertised.
Organic product
You think: healthy and delicious.
In fact: At least 70% of the ingredients must be organic for a manufacturer to boast that their product is “made with organic ingredients,” or contain 95% organic ingredients to use the “organic product” designation. But organic doesn't mean low-calorie.
The study found that people think organic foods contain up to 24% fewer calories and, in some cases, are more nutritious. Indeed, organic snacks typically contain more calories than their counterparts.
- Honey. A person gives up sugar, but adds “healthy and natural” honey to his morning porridge, but in three times more quantity. Sugar has 380 calories, honey - 320.
- Nut mixes are considered a “healthy snack”, and they are. But if you look at the label, they turn out to be just as high in calories: 100 grams of nuts contain 500 calories. And this is a very compact handful, which is usually not limited to.
- Muesli bars and loose muesli. Thanks to marketers, high-calorie foods are now called “energy foods.” Who doesn't want energy? “Get your energy for the day” sounds a lot better than “eat half your calories first thing in the morning.”
- Dried fruits- healthy, but incredibly high in calories. Dates have about 300 calories per 100 grams, which is just a small handful. Fresh fruits contain a lot of water, and it is very difficult to eat a kilogram of apricots, but nothing in the form of dried apricots. Essentially, dried fruits are just candies with a little fiber and vitamins. This comes back to the issue of energy density: small volume, high calories.
- PP-sweets, where all the usual ingredients are replaced with natural ones: instead of buttercream - peanut butter, dates, coconut oil, bananas. Instead of white flour, use any other flour: with bran, gluten-free, almond or buckwheat. It's healthier than refined sugar and margarine, but same amount of calories.
Alternative: Remember, a natural product does not mean that it is “dietary”. Although that's exactly what it seems like. Therefore, it is important to separate calories from naturalness and benefits. These are different planes.
Slimming/fitness/diet
This is generally an endless field for marketing and the most ridiculous deception of consumers. Yes, there are no products for weight loss- cucumbers won’t turn you into slender fairies, and fructose marmalade won’t make your abs grow! Sugar is sugar in any case, be it made from glucose, honey or stevia!
But everyone wants easy ways, and therefore every store must have a rather large stand with weight loss products. But if you take it and read what all these bars consist of, and how much sugar and calories they contain, it becomes scary! And of course, it’s clear that you won’t lose weight from them, but you’ll spend money.
Now 30% less fat
You think: less fat will help me lose weight.
In fact: Manufacturers replace fat with something else, such as sugar. This preserves the taste of food. But more processed ingredients are usually added, making the low-fat version less healthy than the original.
And also think: 30% less than what figure? Maybe there was 200 gr. fat per serving, and now it’s “only” 140 grams?
How to avoid getting caught in deceptive labels in a store?
You just need to read the label carefully. Everything should be indicated there: the name, where and when it was made, what the nutritional value is, what food additives are included in the product, the manufacturer and the expiration date. But there is no need to organize a witch hunt!
We absolutely agree with the point of view of the head of the Laboratory of Hygienic Research of Food Additives at the Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Candidate of Biological Sciences Gennady Nikolaevich Shatrov: the question about the harmfulness or usefulness of additives is not correct. All approved food additives can be used in food production.
There is a list of permitted additives and their quantities in specific food products are regulated. They can be vitamins (for example, ascorbic acid, riboflavins, tocopherols), but they are added to solve some technological function - for example, thickening, stabilization, against oxidation, against microbial spoilage; food additives-preservatives and antioxidants can increase the shelf life of the food product.
Any food additive is safe for humans if it is used in accordance with the Sanitary Rules that regulate the use of food additives. If a product is approved for sale, it means that it has passed all tests! That is why food should be bought not at stalls and markets, but in stores. It’s best in branded networks, the risk of counterfeiting is minimal there.
instructional material on how to read wine labels correctly. I hope it will become the first step in eliminating wine illiteracy not only for me :) And we will also see a lot design solutions for wine packaging and stylish labels. So...
Wine label- this is not just a beautiful image on the bottle, it can safely be called the metric of wine. So, the label can tell what grapes the drink is made from, where the vineyards are located, and who its producer is. And, having this information, you can already get an approximate idea of what will be inside the bottle.
At first glance, nothing complicated. Indeed, on many labels everything is clearly marked, although there are often inscriptions that are not always clear.
New World wine labels
New World wine labels are the easiest to understand. They are always written in English, which for most today is a “second native” language, which greatly facilitates their perception. In addition, in the New World countries there is no clear regulation and classification of wines, which also simplifies the perception of wine labels. As a rule, the following information is indicated there: the grape variety from which the wine is made, the name of the producer, the year of harvest, as well as the country and region of production.
Notably, some high-end New World wines may be identified by batch number, vineyard name, or owner's name. In this case, the grape variety from which the wine was produced must be looked for on the back label.
1. Manufacturer's name.
2. Region of origin of the grapes.
3. Grape variety (the predominant variety is indicated first).
4. Vintage (year of harvest).
5. Alcohol content per unit as a percentage of volume.
Important:Not long ago, Australia introduced a rule to designate wines from its best vineyards as Superior and Outstanding. In other countries of the New World, there is no official classification of wine quality that would be guaranteed at the state level.
European wine labels
European wine labels are much more difficult to perceive than their counterparts from the countries of the New World. This is due to several factors: firstly, all European producers produce labels for their wines in the state language. That is, if you want to buy a bottle of French wine, you will have to deal with the inscriptions in French. If you want to get acquainted with the wines of Italy, you will find labels written entirely in Italian.
Secondly, in Europe there is no rule to print the name of the grape variety from which a particular wine is made. You can understand what a drink is made of only by knowing the region of its production - most often, according to the legislation of wine-producing countries, each region is assigned a certain grape variety(s).
We also note that in Europe there is a classification of wines, which is controlled and guaranteed at the state level. The general purpose of this classification is to control the origin of the grapes. That is, if you buy a bottle of wine with an established abbreviation, you can be sure that this wine was produced in accordance with the rules defined at the legislative level (the grapes were grown in the established region, the production method and aging were observed).
Below is a table of the correspondence of designations in the classifications of European wines (according to Oz Clark).
Note:Table wines in Europe are considered wines that have no history, territory of origin, and do not have strictly established production methods. It is also worth emphasizing that even the highest category of wine cannot always insure against disappointment - it all depends on the specific manufacturer. You can get acquainted with good producers by studying the world's leading wine ratings, as well as by consulting a professional sommelier.
France
The French label often seems the most difficult to understand because there are a lot of symbols and they are all in French. Although, for the sake of fairness, it is worth noting, despite some difficulties, it is the label of French wine that allows the consumer to find out the most complete information about the wine.
1. Name of the wine.
2. "Mis en bouteille au château/domain" means that the wine was bottled on the estate. In addition to this designation, on the labels of French wines you can find: “Mis en bouteille a la propriété” (the wine is bottled in the place of its cultivation and production), as well as “Mis en bouteiile dans le région de production” (the wine is bottled in a given geographical area) .
3. Classification of vineyards from 1855: "Premier Grand Cru Classé" or other derivatives of "Cru" - the highest category, meaning the best or best vineyards.
4. Name of appellation (wine-growing region) - classification of quality and place of origin. Let us note that according to the French rules of wine production, it is this name that tells the consumer the grape variety from which the wine is made.
5. Manufacturer's address.
Note:In some Bordeaux wines you can find the designation Grand vin. As a rule, this is how the main wine of a winery is designated. However, this does not mean that this bottle contains “great wine”.
Advice:Often, when looking at a wine label, you can see the intricate designation Superieur (superior is the Italian version). In this case, the prefix "super" does not indicate the quality of the wine - it simply indicates that the wine has been aged for a longer time and has a higher alcohol content than an ordinary wine of the same name.
Italy
Italian labels are in many ways similar to French ones:
1. Manufacturer's name.
2. Name of the region (in this case Chianti). The prefix "Classico" is applied to wines that were produced in the historical part of the region.
3. DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) - the highest qualification of Italian wines by geographical origin.
Note:Reserva means that the wine has been aged longer in oak barrels than a regular wine of the same name.
Spain
As for the labels of Spanish wines, I would like to note the main distinguishing feature. Thus, they must indicate the duration of aging of the wine, which is strictly regulated by law.
1. Manufacturer's name.
2. Gran Reserva means that the wine has been aged for 5 years - 2 of which in barrels.
3. The name of the region where the wine was produced.
4. Denominación de Origen Calificada - the name of the appellation by geographical origin.
Note:aging classification of Spanish wines: Crianza - 2 years, of which 6 months in barrels; Reserva - 3 years, of which 12 months in barrels; Gran Reserva - 5 years, of which 2 years in barrels.
Germany
On the labels of German wines, in addition to the classification by region, as is customary in Europe, there is also a classification according to the level of sugar content in the wine, as well as the ripeness of the grapes.
1. Manufacturer's name.
2. Region of origin of the wine.
3. Vintage.
4. Village and vineyard
5. Grape variety.
6. Grape ripeness.
7. General classification of wine quality.
Note:Qualitatswein mit Pradicat (the highest category of German wine) is divided into six different styles, determined by the level of ripeness of the grapes:
Kabinett- the lightest wine of the QmP category, as a rule, semi-sweet (if it has no other designation);
Halbtroken- semi-dry wine;
Spatlese(late harvest) - most often sweet wines, although dry and semi-dry ones are also found;
Auslese(select) - wines from selected bunches of very ripe grapes. Often sweet, sometimes dry;
Beerenauslese(selected berries) - sweet wines made from selected bunches of grapes infected with noble mold fungus;
Trockenbeerenauslese(withered selected berries) - sweet wines from selected bunches of grapes that have withered under the influence of noble mold;
Eiswein(ice wine) - wine made from frozen grapes that are harvested in winter.
A little history
The wine label has its origins in ancient times. Thus, looking into the distant past, one can see the label not as a drawing, but as an element of carving. It is noteworthy that the first labels can be considered to be inscriptions on amphoras and clay vessels that were used by the Romans to transport wine.
The oldest wine label that archaeologists have found dates back to 51 BC - the amphora bears the inscription “Lun-Vet/A-III-R/X/M/Valeri Abinnerici / Cornelia” (Old Moon, three years old, red , produced by Valerio Abinnerici and Cornelia"). In turn, in Northern Europe during the same period of time, barrels were actively used for transporting wine, so inscriptions were made with chalk or charcoal.
As the years passed, as the glass bottle became common in the wine industry, the wine label took the form of a wooden plank or rolled parchment that was tied to the neck of the bottle with string. This label existed for quite a long time - until the 18th century. A turning point in the world of wine labels came in 1796, when lithography was invented.
At first, labels were made in a classic style and indicated only the name of the wine. Half a century later, paintings by artists began to appear on wine labels. But since the 50s of the 20th century, most wine-producing countries have adopted laws that stipulate that the label on a bottle of wine should contain as much information as possible about the wine and its producer. Because of this, most winemakers have stopped decorating their wines with overly artistic creations. Such rules still exist in the world of wine today.
Reading a wine label is the moment of getting to know a particular wine: by being able to read the necessary information, you can get an overall picture of what is inside the bottle. Although, of course, the final factor when choosing wine can be personal taste preferences and experience.
Well, now let’s practice reading wine labels a little, I’m not sure how successful the training will be, because fellow designers often turn everything upside down. But when you see such a bottle among the usual ones, you will probably want to buy it. We can only hope that its contents will taste equally unique and the price will be relatively reasonable. :)
All kinds of products are bought by all representatives of the fair sex without exception, however, oddly enough, not everyone knows how to read labels. But this skill allows you to avoid cluttering the refrigerator shelves not only with harmful, but also with too fatty foods, from which you can easily gain excess weight! How to correctly read labels affixed to products, and what can they tell the average consumer?
Sales dates and expiration dates
These terms are one of the most important indicators that all consumers without exception should pay attention to. Of course, sometimes finding this information can be very difficult or it is an incomprehensible encryption, and not every buyer is able to distinguish the sale period of a particular product from its expiration date. To avoid annoying misunderstandings, it is best to purchase products that clearly indicate the date of manufacture and expiration date.
If the package says “Best before,” this means that the product expires on the date indicated after these words. And if only the shelf life is indicated, then you will have to look on the packaging for the date of manufacture of the product and add the indicated shelf life to it - this approach will allow you to calculate the expiration date. It is important to always remember that food products with an unlimited shelf life do not exist in nature!
Product composition
It is equally important to learn to understand the composition of products. True, current Russian legislation imposes rather loyal requirements on modern manufacturers - the latter are required to indicate only the total energy value and the macronutrients present in the composition, and everything else is entirely at their own discretion. As for imported products, in most cases they contain more detailed information, for example, the volumes of sugar and fiber contained in carbohydrates, and for fats - the volumes of trans fats and unsaturated fats. By the way, trans fats in various foods should be avoided whenever possible - numerous studies have shown that they have a detrimental effect on the condition of the cardiovascular system. Sometimes the labels of imported products contain information about the presence of various minerals and vitamins or even their daily intake, which is also very convenient. But among Russian products, alas, few can boast of having such details.
Calories and sugar content are not all that you should pay attention to when choosing food. Thus, the sweeteners contained in many products not only have absolutely no energy value, but can also cause certain harm to health.
Another important nuance is that Russian legislation does not impose specific requirements on food manufacturers to indicate the components of the composition in descending order; accordingly, the ingredients can often be arranged in any order. And components that contain less than two percent may not be indicated at all. However, at the same time, each manufacturer has an obligation to indicate all components containing protein (for example, milk powder), without exception, as well as food dyes, GMOs, all kinds of flavor enhancers and flavorings. The best choice will be products with the fewest ingredients in the composition.
It is advisable to avoid purchasing products that contain hydrogenated vegetable oils, fructose or its derivatives, as well as all kinds of sweeteners in favor of more natural options. And when choosing low-fat products, it doesn’t hurt to pay attention to the amount of sugar - usually there is a lot of it in such products. It also doesn’t hurt to know that on labels it is strictly forbidden to refer to various studies or indicate information about the medicinal properties of a particular component of the composition.
Proteins, fats and carbohydrates
Any label must contain information about the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates for every 100 g of product. And if everything is more or less clear with proteins, then with fats and carbohydrates you need to be able to figure it out.
Fats present in food products are divided into unsaturated, saturated and trans fats. In this case, you should give preference to foods rich in unsaturated fats - the essential fatty acids they consist of have an extremely beneficial effect on the body.
As for carbohydrates, ideal products are considered to be those that contain a minimum of sugar and a maximum of valuable dietary fiber and slow carbohydrates. Western manufacturers almost always indicate the percentage of fast carbohydrates (i.e. sugar) in their products, because this information is very important for people who carefully control the amount of sugar they consume. The percentage of fiber content is also required, which greatly contributes to complete digestion and has a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora.
What does the letter "E" mean?
In almost all food products you can find the letter “E”, which is always accompanied by several numbers. This is what the designation of some components of the composition looks like in accordance with the European system of labeling of food additives. These additives help not only improve the smell, taste and color of various products, but also allow them to retain their basic properties much longer.
Additives E, whose digital designation begins with the number 1, indicate the presence of various dyes in the product. For example, E128 is a red dye, and E123 is bright red. Preservatives always begin with the number 2, allowing you to increase the shelf life of a particular product; in addition, these additives help to significantly slow down the appearance of mold or mildew (for example, the designation E240 hides formaldehyde, which is prohibited in the Russian Federation). If the first digit in the digital code is 3, this indicates that the product contains acidity regulators and antioxidants, which help keep the product fresh much longer, and codes starting with the number 4 imply the presence of thickeners, emulsifiers and stabilizers in the composition, helping to maintain the required consistency of products (this includes gelatin, starch, etc.). The number 5 starts with emulsifiers, which allow the product to retain a structure that is attractive to consumers longer, the number 6 starts with aroma and taste enhancers, and the number 9 starts with sweeteners, flour improvers and glazing agents.
Many consumers, seeing the letter “E” in the composition, immediately think that the product they have chosen contains additives that are very harmful to health, but this is not entirely true - there are also neutral or even beneficial additives designated by the same letter. The letter “E” also denotes some natural components: the designation E140 hides chlorophyll, the designation E160 hides paprika, etc.
Only the following additives should alert the buyer: additives E103, 105, 121, 123, 130, 152, 330 and 447 can provoke the occurrence of malignant tumors, E171, 173, 330 and 22 - kidney and liver diseases, E230, 231, 239, 311 and 313 – allergic reactions, and E221, 226, 338, 341, 462 and 66 – various gastrointestinal ailments. It is still better to avoid purchasing products containing these additives.
Manufacturers contact details
In accordance with Russian legislation, all food manufacturers, without exception, are required to clearly indicate their brand name on the labels, as well as a contact telephone number and address, that is, any consumer must be able to contact the manufacturer if such a need arises. If the product is imported, then it must certainly be equipped with an appropriate sticker in Russian; in addition, it must indicate the country of origin and all the necessary contact details of the importer.
If the label has been reprinted over the original text, or has been re-glued or erased, it is better to look for another product with a label that meets all the necessary requirements.
The ability to read labels is a very important and valuable skill, because it helps not only to avoid purchasing low-quality or dangerous products, but also to preserve health or even life.
Preview photo:ginasanders/Rusmediabank.ru
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