Education Phase 1 Food packaging

Why do we need food packaging? To protect food. To keep food safe to eat. To provide information.

Protection Packaging holds the food (stops it from spilling). It also protects it from damage.

Safety Packaging protects the food from micro-organisms (e.g. bacteria), pollution or vermin. This means the food is kept safe to eat.

Information Information on the packaging can help the customer make a choice.

Information The information is shown in the form of a label.

Labelling Most food labels show the following: • name; • weight/volume; • ingredients; • storage (if appropriate); • the date when the food should be eaten; • country of origin

Labelling Name – what the product is called e.g. cornflakes. Different brands may have products with the same name. Weight – how much the food weighs. This can be given in grams (solids) or millilitres (liquids).

Labelling Ingredients – what separate foods the product contains (e.g. onions, tomatoes). Storage – where the food should be stored to keep it safe (e.g. freezer, fridge, cupboard).

Labelling The date when the food should be eaten – after this date food may not be safe to eat or may not look or taste as good. Country of origin – where the food was produced e.g. Spain.