At Ballyfree we recognise that our labels are a key source of information by which you can determine which food to buy. Currently, unless a nutrition claim is made, providing nutrition information on your food label is not legally required.
However, at Ballyfree our policy is to provide information on the 8 major nutrients as listed above, where space allows, and to ensure information is provided per portion of the product so that you can practically work out what your actual nutrient intake per slice.
A Food Label Explained
The Nutrition Panel
Nutrition information is normally given per 100g. The nutrition information panel on a label provides useful information about the foods nutrition content. Amounts are normally given per 100g of food and may also be provided per serving of the product, so you can work out how much energy, protein, fat and sugar you will be getting. Some labels give even more information, for example different types of fat, dietary fibre and sodium.
For nutrition information click here.
ENERGY
Can be expressed as kJ (kilojoules) or as kcal (kilocalories). In general a kilocalorie is equivalent to 1000 calories.
PROTEIN
An important nutrient for growth, development and repair of body tissue. 1g protein = 4 kcal.
CARBOHYDRATE
Includes both sugars and starches. The figure given for sugars includes both added sugar and natural sugar (e.g fruit sugar). Their main function is to provide us with energy. The label provides the total amount of carbohydrate and the amount of which is sugar. 1g carbohydrate = 4 kcal.
FAT
Fat is a nutrient which provides the most concentrated source of energy. There are 3 main types of fats listed on food labels; saturates, considered the 'bad' fat and polyunsaturates and monounsaturates or the 'good' fats. In general saturates fat comes from animal sources while polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat comes from vegetable sources.
Examples:
- Saturates = cream
- Polyunsaturated = Sunflower oil
- Monounsaturated Fat = olive oil
The label will show the total amount of fat, and may provide information on the different types as well. 1g fat = 9 kcal.
Fibre
All plant foods and food made from these, contain some fibre. Fibre is essential for the proper functioning of the digestive tract.
Sodium
An essential mineral in regulating body fluid balance and controlling nerve and muscle function. Reducing sodium intake (through salt) is recommended for people with high blood pressure or kidney problems.
Salt
Improves the flavour of foods and acts as a preservative. To estimate how much salt is in a food, multiply the total sodium shown on the label by 2.5. It is Ballyfree policy to label salt per portion on all our products.
