SUBSCRIBE
Monday, May 12, 2025
Health For Mzansi
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
Health For Mzansi

Beware: Food labels can easily fool you

by Dona van Eeden
7th February 2024
in My Health
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
People look at food labels for a variety of reasons. But beware, consumers, because some labels might be shouting just a little too loudly. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

People look at food labels for a variety of reasons. But beware, consumers, because some labels might be shouting just a little too loudly. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

From allergens to sugar content – what is in their food is becoming more important to South Africans. Navigating the cluttered content of food labels and stickers can, however, be a little tricky. Here are some tips on making sure you know exactly what product you are buying.

Gary Jackson is the owner and founder of Jackson’s Real Food Market. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Food labels are a minefield for consumers to navigate, says Johannesburg food retailer Gary Jackson. He is the founder of Jackson’s Real Food Market and Eatery and is no stranger to navigating the labelling realm.

He says that while there may be numerous policies and regulations for these product labels and stickers, there is little enforcement and policing, leaving the industry wide open for exploitation. 

Laws that govern South African food labels

Many regulations govern the production, marketing and labelling of food to protect the consumer. According to Food Facts, labelling legislation in South Africa is complex, and in addition to the laws and regulations, there is no single regulatory authority for the labelling of foodstuffs. 

The most relevant of these laws are the Consumer Protection Act, The Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, the Agricultural Products Standards Act and the National Health Act and their subcategory regulations.

The loopholes that have consumers fooled

It is easy for food manufacturers to use marketing strategies that mislead the consumer, not only directly with blatant untruths printed on labels and packaging, but also by misleading the consumer with half-truths or by implication on labels and marketing information. For Jackson, this is most prominent when it comes to the eggs that we buy. 

“There is no definitive protocol for what constitutes free-range for chickens in South Africa. Some people see access to sunlight and air as free-range; some define it by the diet that the animals are fed.” 

There is such a broad spectrum of applications for the term “free-range” that might not necessarily overlap with what the consumer expects it to mean.

Another example is vegetable oil labels that state “contains 0% cholesterol” when, in fact, all vegetable oils DO NOT contain cholesterol. By implication, consumers would assume that only those oils expressly labelled as such, are the healthier, cholesterol-free choice. 

The truth about vegetable oil

Registered dietician Gabi Steenkamp shares more facts about vegetable oil:

  • All vegetable oils are naturally free of cholesterol. 
  • Vegetable oils have differing fatty acid compositions, which function differently in the body – this is the pertinent information the consumer should be given. 
  • All vegetable oils have the same energy value (kJ or Cal) and there is no such thing as a “lite” vegetable oil. 
  • Vegetable oils are manufactured by different methods, and this may affect the nutritional content of the oil.  

Steenkamp stresses that this information should be used to inform consumers, not to mislead them. 

Consumers can apply similar checks for seemingly beneficial claims on other products.

What many think are health claims are actually just marketing pitches and advertisements. And government-approved claims such as “low-fat” and “light,” often don’t tell you the whole story. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Fact-checking labels

So how can a retailer like Jackson claim on his business website, “Our products are free of growth hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, chemically manufactured flavourings and pesticides. In other words, our products are real, organic and 100% good for your health!” It is because he visits all the farmers who provide the produce on his market shelves.

“We know exactly who our suppliers are, and exactly what they do. Then we make claims based on a supplier, not on a category.

“We also insist that producers put their websites and contact details on their products, and that customers can visit the farm at any time,” says Jackson. “That empowers the customer to make the informed decision and to be able to follow up on claims.” 

His recommendation is to find a store where you can find answers to questions about the origin and traceability of the products you buy and under which conditions they are produced.

Consumers can also find trusted sources of information to help them discern between clever marketing and fact.


Finding products you can trust

Registered dietician Gabi Steenkamp. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi
EATegrity 

EATegrity researches the complex nature of alternative and industrialised food systems and their impact on nutritional food security, public health, animal welfare, social justice, climate justice, environmental justice and food sovereignty. All this in an effort to support authentic solutions.  

They work with and publicise knowledge from a global community of farmers, chefs, academics, retailers, activists, NGOs, journalists, health advocates, environmentalists, scientists, certifiers, researchers and consumers. They also advocate for traceability and transparency, and a more equitable and healthy food system. 

Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) 

PGS are locally focused quality assurance systems. They certify producers based on active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange. 

It is a peer-guarantee, affordable certification system that is done by peers in the food industry. That includes farmers, customers and retailers that jointly hold the producers of products accountable. 

ALSO READ: Chicken or beef: Is white meat really healthier?

Tags: Food awareness
Dona van Eeden

Dona van Eeden

Related Articles

Pregnancy
My Health

Fighting pregnancy fatigue: What your body might be telling you

by Vateka Halile
9th May 2025
Thyroid health: When weight gain isn’t just about food
My Health

Thyroid health: When weight gain isn’t just about food

by Vateka Halile
24th April 2025

Stories

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites
Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics
Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy
Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen
No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches
How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth
Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing
Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers
No Result
View All Result

Latest

Pregnancy
My Health

Fighting pregnancy fatigue: What your body might be telling you

by Vateka Halile
9th May 2025

Feeling constantly tired during pregnancy? It might be more than just hormonal changes. We explore common causes of pregnancy fatigue,...

Read moreDetails
Lung disease

Beyond the cure: Many TB survivors face lung disease

8th May 2025

Time to revive Mzansi’s nutritious indigenous crops

7th May 2025
Indigenous foods

Indigenous foods: Nature’s wisdom in every nourishing bite

6th May 2025
UCT

Art meets medicine: Mother and daughter share grit and glory

5th May 2025
Health For Mzansi

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824

News: hello@healthformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Awards & Impact
Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy
Copyright

Somagwaza

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites

cropped-scott-webb-yekGLpc3vro-unsplash.jpeg

Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics

Dr Sinethemba Makanya

Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy

Fighting pregnancy fatigue: What your body might be telling you

Beyond the cure: Many TB survivors face lung disease

Time to revive Mzansi’s nutritious indigenous crops

Indigenous foods: Nature’s wisdom in every nourishing bite

Art meets medicine: Mother and daughter share grit and glory

Battling burnout: When caring takes its toll

error: Content is protected !!
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes

© 2021 Health For Mzansi | Farmers For Change Pty (Ltd)

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers