English

Food Safety Science Vol.3: Decoding Food Labels — Your Ultimate Shopping Guide

Created on 09.24

Introduction: Walking into the Supermarket

When you walk into a supermarket and pick up a package of food, what do you look at first? The brand? The price? Or the production date?
Today, in the final installment of our series, we bring you the ultimate tool for food safety: The Food Label. Think of it as the "ID Card" of the food. Developing the habit of reading labels is crucial for managing your family's nutrition and safety.

What is a Food Label?

A pre-packaged food label includes all text, graphics, symbols, and explanatory matter on the packaging. It is the primary tool for consumers to understand product information and make rational purchasing decisions.
When checking a label, here are the 10 Key Elements you should look for:
1. Product Name
2. Ingredients List
3. Net Content / Specification
4. Manufacturer & Distributor Information
5. Production Date
6. Shelf Life
7. Storage Conditions
8. Nutrition Facts Table
9. Production License Number & Product Standard Number
10. Allergen Information
"Infographic on food labels highlighting their importance for safety and nutrition, with 10 key label items."

The Two Pillars of Labeling Standards

In China, food labeling is strictly regulated by two national standards that work together as a complete regulatory system:
  • GB 7718-2025 (General Standard for Pre-packaged Food Labels): This is the universal labeling standard. It governs what must appear on a food label: product name, ingredients list, production date, shelf life, production license number, and more.
  • GB 28050-2025 (General Rules for Nutrition Labeling of Pre-packaged Foods): This is the nutrition-specific standard. It governs how nutrition information must be presented: the Nutrition Facts Table, the "1+6" core nutrients, and nutrition claim specifications.
Two pillars of food labeling standards: GB 7718-2025 for general labeling and GB 28050-2025 for nutrition.

The "3-Step Check" for Smart Shopping

When shopping for food, remember these three simple steps to avoid marketing traps:
  • Check the Name: Verify the true product attribute. Don't be misled by fancy marketing names.
  • Check the Ingredients List: Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. Pay attention to additives and hidden sugars.
  • Check the Dates and Nutrition Table: Focus on the expiration date and the "1+6" core nutrient indicators.
"Guide to decoding food labels with three steps: check name, ingredients, dates, and nutrition; child enjoying snacks nearby."

Decoding Labels to Protect Your Health

Understanding food labels comes down to five key areas. Master these, and you will never be fooled by packaging again.

1. Ingredients List: Read the Ranking, See the Truth

Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight — meaning the first ingredient is the one present in the greatest amount.
  • The 2% Rule: Ingredients making up 2% or less of the total weight may be listed in any order at the end of the list.
  • Compound Ingredients Must Be Expanded: If an ingredient contains compound ingredients (such as jam or chocolate sauce), the original ingredients must be listed in parentheses.
  • Watch Out for Word Games: Product names must truthfully reflect the product's actual category. "Lactic Acid Beverage" is not milk. "Children's Growth Milk" is often a sugar-sweetened modified milk rather than pure milk.

2. Nutrition Facts Table: Read the Numbers, Control Intake

The Nutrition Facts Table is a standardized table that declares energy and nutrient content along with their percentage of Nutrient Reference Values (NRV). It typically has three columns:
  • Column 1: Item Name (Energy, Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Sodium, etc.)
  • Column 2: Content Value — expressed per 100g, per 100ml, or per serving.
  • Column 3: NRV% — the most critical indicator.
NRV% represents the percentage of the recommended daily intake provided by one serving of the food.

3. Date Labels: Distinguish "Shelf Life" from "Expiration Date"

  • Shelf Life (Best Before): The period during which the food maintains its stated quality when stored under specified conditions. Within this period, all product indicators meet regulatory standards.
  • Expiration Date (Use By): The final date by which the food should be consumed. After this date, the food's sensory characteristics and hygiene indicators may no longer meet standards.

4. Allergen Labeling: New Requirements, Don't Ignore

The new regulations require pre-packaged food labels to declare eight major categories of allergens (e.g., gluten, crustaceans, eggs, peanuts, soybeans, milk, nuts). For consumers with a history of food allergies, this is a critical safety red line that must not be overlooked.

5. Beware of the "Zero Additives" Trap

Terms like "Zero Additives" and "No Additives" have been explicitly prohibited by the new national standards.
  • "0 Sugar" ≠ Sugar-free: The product may contain artificial sweeteners.
  • "Non-fried" ≠ Low Fat: Non-fried products can still be high in fat.
  • "High Calcium" ≠ High Absorption: High calcium content does not guarantee the body can absorb it effectively.

Conclusion

Food labels are an important safeguard for consumers' right to know. Quality management systems are the institutional cornerstone of food safety. By understanding labels and systems, everyone can become the primary guardian of their own health.
This concludes our three-part Food Safety Science Series. We began by defining food safety (Vol.1), explored the management systems that protect it (Vol.2), and now you have the tools to verify safety yourself at the supermarket (Vol.3).
Contact
Leave your information and we will contact you.
WhatsApp
Email