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University of Reading

Understanding Food Labels

University of Reading and EIT Food via FutureLearn

Overview

Get the facts you need to put your trust in the food system

Please note this course runs without facilitation

Huge amounts of information are provided on food product labels, but surveys have shown that we’re often unsure of its meaning.

On this course, you’ll learn how to make sense of the regulations, data, and logos on packaging so that you can make more informed food choices.

You’ll become more aware of what’s in the food you’re buying, the reference intakes for different people, and the nutritional value and environmental sustainability of different foods.

You’ll also gain a better understanding of food labelling regulations, as well as the claims food producers are allowed to make.

Disclaimer: The course content is for educational purposes only. Information and opinions contained in the course content are as of the release date 7th September 2020. In respect of any information or opinion supplied in the course content, this is provided in good faith, however no warranty or representation of any kind is made, given or implied, as to the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, completeness or sufficiency of any information or opinion except for the educational purpose of completing the course. Therefore, the course participant shall in all cases be entirely and solely liable for the use to which it puts such information and opinions.

This course is designed for anyone who makes food purchasing choices and wants to learn more about what goes into their food, the health benefits of what they eat and the sustainability of how it’s produced.

If you’re looking to expand your knowledge on this topic, you might also find of interest the following EIT Food courses on food, nutrition and science communication:

  • Food and Nutrition: The Truth Behind Food Headlines
  • Engaging with Controversies in the Food System
  • Understanding Mediterranean and Okinawa Diets
  • Nutrition for Health and Sustainability

Syllabus

  • The what, how and why of food labels
    • What are food labels?
    • How effective are food labels?
    • Can we trust food labels?
    • Review and Reflect
  • What's in my food and is it good for me?
    • Decoding nutritional information
    • Using the ingredients list
    • Nutrition and health claims
    • Review and Reflect
  • How can I control the quality of my food and how it was produced?
    • Branding
    • Labels for sustainability
    • Review and Reflect

Taught by

Simona Grasso

Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 2 Class Central reviews

4.6 rating at FutureLearn based on 63 ratings

Start your review of Understanding Food Labels

  • Anonymous
    In a nutshell, I am impressed after this course. It is useful and amazing. All the steps are interesting and breathtaking. I adore different videos, photos and polls, so it was a pleasure for me. I found many perfect tips for my shopping and became more conscious about food that I buy every day. The best for me were first steps and then steps about difference between "best before" and "use by", usage of a country-specific animal welfare labelling scheme etc. Now I am a confident and conscious costumer.
  • Anonymous
    I have learned a lot about nutritional info on packages, brands, misleading info on packages... I am starting to use this info in my life. I really liked this course, it was very useful.

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