A Guide to Food Labeling

Based on the national standards for the labeling of food and standards for various types of food products,this book explains the general require-ments for the

Does Green Food Certification promote agri-food export quality?Evidence from China

The construction of a food certification system plays a vital role in upgrading export quality, which previous studies have largely overlooked. We match China's industry-level data of Green Food Certification with its HS6-digit export data of agri-food products to quantify the impact of Green Food Certification on export quality. We identify the significant and positive effect of Green Food Certification on export quality. The 2SLS estimation based on instrumental variables and a range of robustness checks confirm the validity and robustness of the benchmark conclusions. Further analysis discloses that Green Food Certification improves export quality by raising agricultural production efficiency and brand premiums. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of Green Food Certification varies across regions, notably improving the quality of agri-food products exported to developed regions and regions with high levels of import supervision. Furthermore, among various product types, Green Food Certification significantly improves the export quality of primary products and products vulnerable to non-tariff measures. The above findings could guide the future development of agri-food quality certification systems, potentially leading to a transformation and promotion of the agri-food trade.

Regulation of Genetically Modified Food Use in the Russian Federation

Practical application of new methods of а plant genome transformation resulted in the need for strict regulation of the safety assessment process of genetically modified organisms of plant origin, intended for use in food. The devise of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) of plant origin safety assessment system, which is currently valid in the Russian Federation, was initiated in 1995-1996. Not only does the system accumulate all domestic and foreign experience, it also includes the latest scientific approaches, based on achievements of fundamental science. In the present article authors focused on issues of the basic legislative regulations of plant biotechnology in the Russian Federation, and approaches to the safety assessment of GM food and control over such food. GMO safety assessment is carried out at the stage of State registration. The subject of registration is novel food products derived from GMO, manufactured in the Russian Federation, as well as food products, entering the Russian Federation for the first time. In the system of medical and biological assessment of the GMO safety, along with general toxicological research, the study of specific types of toxicity in in vivo experiments takes a prominent place. In accordance with established research practice, which uses an integrated approach, and provides with the most complete and reliable information on potential reprotoxic, genotoxic, immunotoxic and allergenic effects of GMO, as well as enables to reveal possible unintended effects of genetic modification. From 1999 to 2016 22 GM lines passed the entire cycle of medical-biological investigations. By 2016 there had been amassed scientific foundation on GMO safety, which includes the analysis of result of research, carried out within the framework of GMO state registration in the Russian Federation, as well as domestic and international data, presented by scientific literature on the problem of biotechnological food safety, at both registration stage and post-registration monitoring stage. To sum up, in the Russian Federation the most essential issues, allowing to use GMO for food purpose have been resolved: 1) legislation, normative and methodical foundations, regulating safety assessment and control over GMO turnover, as well as ensuring customer awareness about presence of GMO in food products, have been created;2) scientifically proven evidence on the lack of negative effects for human health, i.e. GMO safety has been amassed;3) the possibility of control over GMO turnover throughout the food market of the country has been sustained.

Informing Food Consumption Choices: Innovations in Measuring and Labelling

The need to inform consumers about the health impact of their food choices is ever more pressing in a world where obesity is a growing problem. Concerns over food safety, its origins and its environmental impacts are also growing, as frequently reported in the popular press in many parts of the world. Nutritional and health information on food labels is quite well developed, but the complex nature of the information presented may hinder widespread use of the existing labels. In comparison, there has been little widespread success of carbon labels on food, and their usefulness in reducing carbon emissions from consumption is uncertain. In an attempt to address the need for clearer information on health and environmental impacts of food purchases, we present a novel dual-purpose food labelling system which provides information on both health and environmental impacts of food items. This paper presents results from a pilot study introducing a novel approach to food labelling: a simplified, combined carbon and health label to inform consumers simultaneously about the environmental and health impacts of their choices. Environmental impacts of various food categories were calculated on the basis of their relative energy use along the supply chain by using a newly designed Food Energy Index. Health impacts were based on the NuVal system developed in the USA in 2010. As part of the Norfolk Island Carbon and Health Evaluation study (NICHE), labels were designed, tested and displayed on 25 food categories for a 3-month period in the main supermarket on Norfolk Island (Australia). The in-store labelling trial was followed by a consumer survey on their attitudes to the labels. The results from this pilot trial indicate that consumers were supportive of food labelling including both environmental and health impacts, but the information provided in the dual labels was not sufficient to induce changes in consumption between food categories. We conclude that simple label design is clearly essential, and our findings warrant further investigation, including a broader study using a larger population and a wider range of food categories.

Promoting the Establishment of a Food Label Evaluation System

With continued improvement in their livingstandards,people attach more and more importanceto the safety of food.Food labeling has becomeone important element of food safety supervision.Inthe interests of China's continual economic progress,afood label evaluation system should be set up.

Indian task force for celiac disease:Current status

There are limited data on celiac disease(CD) from India.The limited knowledge about CD in India might be attributed to several factors.The fi rst meeting of the Indian Task Force for Celiac Disease was held in the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology,Hyderabad,India in December 2008.The objectives of the meeting were to focus research on prevalence of CD in the wheat-eating Northern vs the rice-eating Southern Indian population,low-budget serological assays to study the underprivileged population,to involve other medical subspecialties in CD,to suggest proper legislation regarding wheat food labeling,and to organize affordable food substitutes for patients with celiac disease.

Can the 5-colour nutrition label“Nutri-Score”improve the health value of food?

Obesity and other nutrition-related non-communicable diseases were virtually non-existent before the advent of industrialized food production.In recent years,a 5-color front-of-package food label(“Nutri-Score”)seeking to demonstrate the overall nutritional value and healthiness of food products has been adopted for voluntary use in some European countries.The Nutri-Score is mainly based on the sugar,salt and calorie content of food items.The present viewpoint discusses whether the Nutri-Score correctly identifies healthy and unhealthy food items and how large an impact the Nutri-Score may have on consumers’choices.Furthermore,other benefits as well as hidden costs and drawbacks in implementing the Nutri-Score will be presented.Despite its reducing of the complex information regarding the contents of foods,the Nutri-Score may provide easily intelligible information regarding healthy nutrition and may become a valuable tool in educating consumers and influencing their food choices.The Nutri-Score may not become a game-changer in combating poor nutrition,but it is helpful in the right circumstances.If an inexpensive public policy,such as front-of-package labeling,makes some positive contribution,there is no reason to argue against its adoption.Even small effects may be relevant when a measure is adopted at population level.

Snack (Re)formulation in the Improvement of Health Effects on Glycaemia and Satiety Responses: Preliminary Results

Snacking impacts the overall quality of dietary patterns, nutrition and health outcomes. Highly processed snack foods are normally unhealthy due to higher saturated fat content, refined grains (carbohydrates), and artificial ingredients. Snack product (re)formulation using plant-based wholesome ingredients has the potential to improve health effects including glycaemia, satiety responses, and lipid metabolism. Oat (Avena sativa L.) has gained increased popularity as a food item in recent decades due to its perceived or real health benefits, principally related to the bran content of oats. We have developed a healthier snack prototype using rolled oats as main ingredients. Other ingredients include oat bran, dried fruits, and nuts. For initial trials, these ingredients were combined in various combinations and composition to produce a formula having a good nutrient profile score (≤4) that meets the criteria of FSANZ for making health-related claims. The proportions of the ingredients in the formula were adjusted to enable higher fiber and protein contents. From the initial 10 combinations prepared, one prototype was selected based on four quality attributes (visual appearance, texture, taste, and water activity). The selected prototype was tested for glycemic index (n = 10) and consumer liking (n = 67). Our preliminary results demonstrated that the prototype has a low glycemic index, favorable satiety effects compared with glucose, and has acceptable taste compared with two commercial products. This formulation will be refined further when we plan to assess its effects on glycaemia and insulin profiles. High value nutrition is the New Zealand national science challenge. An approach of developing healthier snack products with verifiable health-related claims through (re)formulation could be translated into relevant dietary changes associated with potential improvement in public health.

Consumer Response to the Product Carbon Footprint （PCF）

A survey of 277 German participants demonstrates that a Product Carbon Footprint （PCF） label is not yet a suitable instrument for communication with consumers because of the lack of standardized PCF calculation within Europe. Most consumers do not understand either the PCF statement or the PCF calculation. The public message of a PCF label does not conform to the terms of sustainability. At first sight, PCF seems to be an opportunity to communicate the sustainability aspects of food to consumers, but too many different approaches to defining PCF exist in Europe. Additionally, the use of a ＂green＂ PCF label may distort trading conditions because of the lack of PCF-issuing authorities in accordance with World Trade Organization （WTO） standards. Hence, PCF may ultimately deceive consumers through its misapplication if the PCF calculation is not aligned to internationally accepted standards.