Evaluation of Label Information of Various Foods Consumed Frequently in Daily Life

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the label information of various foods consumed frequently in daily life.

Material and Methods: This study was conducted in two major and three small market economies chains operating in one large region in İstanbul. A total of 700 food labels have been examined. The food served in the sale was examined in five groups; fundamental foods, snacks, foods that can not be consumed alone, infant and follow-up formulas, other foods. Food label information record form was used to collect food label information.

Results: According to given the presence or absence of food labels on the packages, it was determined that number of labels of fundamental foods (84.1%), snacks (84.1%) and infant and follow-up formulas (100.0%) were higher than the other foods and foods that can not be consumed alone items (p<0.001). No weight information was given at 1.3% of the packages. Net weight was given in 82.4% of the fundamental foods, 99.3% of the snacks and 90.4% of the other foods. All baby foods are given as net weight (p<0.001). Percentage of manufacturer and packer company name in their packaging in fundamental foods, snacks, foods that can not be consumed alone, baby food and other foods were 97.1%, 95.7%, 96.7%, 100.0% and 100.0%, respectively (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the expiry date (p<0.001). In this study 36.4% of the fundamental foods, 23.4% of the snacks, 22.0% of the foods that can not be consumed alone foods, 42.1% of the baby foods and 16.9% of the other foods have been found that the energy values fully provide the energy calculated from the given nutrition facts data. The energy values of snack foods did not comply the given values.

Conclusion: As a result of this study, it was determined that the food products offered to the consumers and included in the sales stores did not fully meet the labeling information in terms of nutritional information, but the competence in terms of commercial information was high.