Chocolate and Candy Labels: 6 Important Things You Should Always Check Before Buying
Chocolate and candy labels contain far more information than just the product name and colourful packaging. With the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently issuing notices to several confectionery companies over allegedly misleading food claims and labelling practices, shoppers are becoming more aware of the importance of reading what's written on the pack. Terms such as "premium", "natural" or "fruit-flavoured" may sound appealing, but they don't always reflect what's actually inside. Understanding food labels can help you make smarter choices, avoid misleading marketing claims and know exactly what you're eating. Here are six important things you should always check before picking up your favourite chocolate or candy.
1. Read the Ingredients List Carefully
The ingredient list is one of the most important sections on any food label. Ingredients are arranged in descending order by weight, which means the first few ingredients make up the largest share of the product.
If sugar, glucose syrup, liquid glucose or similar sweeteners appear at the top, the product is largely made up of added sugars. Likewise, if cocoa solids or milk solids are listed much further down, the chocolate may contain only a small amount of these key ingredients. Spending a few seconds reading this section gives a much clearer picture of the product than the packaging ever can.
2. Don't Trust Front-of-Pack Marketing Alone
Words like "premium," "natural," "real fruit," or "made with milk" are designed to grab attention, but they don't necessarily guarantee superior quality.
The recent regulatory scrutiny has highlighted how certain claims can create an impression that doesn't fully match the ingredients inside the package. Rather than relying solely on attractive branding or bold claims, consumers should always verify what the ingredient list and nutritional information actually say.
1. Read the Ingredients List Carefully
The ingredient list is one of the most important sections on any food label. Ingredients are arranged in descending order by weight, which means the first few ingredients make up the largest share of the product.
If sugar, glucose syrup, liquid glucose or similar sweeteners appear at the top, the product is largely made up of added sugars. Likewise, if cocoa solids or milk solids are listed much further down, the chocolate may contain only a small amount of these key ingredients. Spending a few seconds reading this section gives a much clearer picture of the product than the packaging ever can.
2. Don't Trust Front-of-Pack Marketing Alone
Words like "premium," "natural," "real fruit," or "made with milk" are designed to grab attention, but they don't necessarily guarantee superior quality.
The recent regulatory scrutiny has highlighted how certain claims can create an impression that doesn't fully match the ingredients inside the package. Rather than relying solely on attractive branding or bold claims, consumers should always verify what the ingredient list and nutritional information actually say.
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