Misleading Labelling

Do you know what I hate?

Now nothing can be further than the truth but I just hate it when you buy something from the supermarket that is labelled as good healthy food and might even boast a National Heart Foundation big red tick of endorsement but when you read the fine print on the packaging in more detail, you see that sure they may be FAT REDUCED but to compensate for the flavour they are overloaded with sugar or sugar derivatives.

From the National Heart Foundation's speal on their Red Tick program, "the Tick is the Heart Foundation's guide to help people make healthier food choices quickly and easily. It also encourages food manufacturers to develop or modify food products that support the Heart Foundation's Guidelines for Tick Approval.

Tick approved products represent a healthier choice within a particular food category. In general, Tick approved foods are relatively lower in saturated fat, sodium and where appropriate, kilojoules. Some are also higher in fibre.

All foods in the Tick program, without exception, must meet the Heart Foundation's Guidelines for Tick Approval. Food companies must have their products independently chemically analysed, and meet the nutrient criteria before they can use the Tick on their products. Random testing is also undertaken to ensure ongoing compliance with the strict nutrient criteria."

Now all this sounds really good doesn't it! But is the Red Tick program all that it's made out to be? Stay tuned.

Sent in by Marian Stockdale from Box Hill, Australia