1. YOUTH CONSUMERS AND THE PRODUCTS MARKET Tracon Project International School Of Athens

2. Labeling Every product has a label. Labels can give you useful information through a variety of symbols and information on them.

3. Labeling Do you read the labels on different products you use? Is the decision to buy or use the products based on the information you read on their labels?

4. Ingredients Listing Ingredients are listed in descending order of their weight, with the biggest ingredient first (except in the case of yoghurt when the biggest ingredient milk does not have to be listed). If an ingredient is mentioned in the name, such as strawberries in “strawberry yoghurt”, or is usually associated with the food such as lamb is with “shepherd’s pie”, the amount contained in the food will be given as a percentage.

5. Allergy advice This helps people with a food allergy or intolerance to identify ingredients they need to avoid. New labeling rules mean that since November 2005 food labels have to list all the ingredients and ingredients derived from allergenic foods. Some manufacturers also choose to use allergy boxes or statements to highlight this information. However, these are voluntary and consumers are therefore strongly advised to always read the ingredients list.

6. Allergy advice Do you have any food allergies? What do you do to prevent allergic reactions from foods?

7. Nutrition Information This information tells you about how much energy, proteins, carbohydrates, and fat is in the food. You might also be informed about sugars, saturates, fibre, sodium, vitamins and minerals. You will see this information if a nutrition claims such as “reduced fat” or “low calorie” is made. Sometimes the manufacturers will add this sort of information voluntarily when they have not made a nutrition claim.

8. Date Marking Most packaged food has a “best before” date which means the food should not go stale before then. You will find a “use by” date on packaged food that goes off quickly, such as milk, soft cheese, ready- prepared meals and smoked fish. You should not eat foods after their “use by” date because they might not be safe to eat.

9. Date Marking Do you read the expiration dates listed on food products? Do you eat food past its expiration date?

10. Storing Food Storage information gives instructions on how to use the food (for example microwave information, information on where to store the food once you have opened the packet or tin, and how long it will last) will usually be provided if needed.

11. Nutrition Claims Nutrition claims as “low fat” are used to highlight beneficial aspects of a food. By law they must not mislead the consumer or falsely describe a food. There are specific rules about restricting certain nutrition claims, but “low fat” is subject to government guidance (should not have more than 3 grams of fat in 100 grams).

12. Nutrition Claims Do you always believe the Nutrition Claims of a product?

13. Health Marking The purpose of a health mark is to identify food through the food chain for health and safety control purposes. The mark consists of an indication of the country of processing (UK); a code to indicate the approved establishment where the product was last processed (EC or EEC). On some dairy products you will not see the health mark as it is not legally required to appear on retail packaging. However, it will have accompanied the product on outer packaging and/or paperwork until it reached the shop.

14. Contact Details The label should contain the name and address of the maker, packer or seller of the food. If you’re concerned or dissatisfied with how the food is labeled, contact the shop where you bought it or the maker, packer or seller.

15. Country of Origin The true place of origin should always be given if the label as a whole would otherwise imply that the food comes from or has been made in, a different place or area.

16. Product description It is illegal for food labels to have false or misleading names or descriptions.

17. Product Safety and Guarantee As you living in the EU, you should not have to worry about the safety of products. EU rules on product safety stipulate that it is the responsibility of producers and distributors to place only safe products on the market. Moreover, if faulty products are discovered, protection measures are taken very rapidly. Toys, cosmetics and electrical equipment have to adhere to further strict safety requirements. A two- year guarantee applies to the sale of all consumer goods everywhere in the EU. (Directive 1999/44/EC)

18. Returning a Product If the item you bought does not look or function as it was advertised, or if it is not satisfactory, you have the right to have the item replaced or to get your money back if the replacement was not completed in a reasonable time at no extra cost. If you buy goods that turn out to be faulty, manufacturers must compensate you for any personal injury or damage caused to property.

19. Food Safety and Health The EU approach to food safety aims to assure a high level of food safety, animal and plant health within the EU through farm-to-table measures and adequate monitoring.

20. Source: http://www.tracon-project.eu/